Air France hostesses have complained of widespread sexual harassment and assaults, often by pilots or fellow crew members who are their superiors, reports The Times.
An investigation by Radio France, a public service broadcaster, revealed rising anger among staff over what they say is a corporate culture that has allowed the normalisation of sexist practices.
The conviction of Dominique Pelicot last year for inviting dozens of strangers to rape his wife after he sedated her has heightened sensitivity in France to sex crimes and encouraged victims to come forward.
Mathilde, who, like her fellow air hostesses declined to give her surname, said she has been harassed almost every day of her 20-year career.
During one flight, she said the chief steward grabbed her by the hips and thrust himself against her when she was crouching down.
“I told him to stop and he answered: ‘You don’t realise how much you turn me on.’ He pinned me against the ovens with his hands on my breasts.”
He continued harassing her after the flight landed and the crew went to a hotel. “He pulled me towards him and kissed me in full view of the staff. Then, on the return flight, he grabbed my hand and put on his penis.”
Mathilde alerted her superiors but he denied the accusations and no action was taken. “His word was obviously worth more than mine,” she said.
Mathilde started legal action but three years later the case is still being investigated, according to prosecutors.
Juliette, another stewardess, said she fell into a depression after being repeatedly groped by a chief steward. She reported the incidents to managers but no action was taken.