A history of air hostesses

Aeroflot boss Vitaly Savelyey announced a glamorous makeover for the Russian carrier this week. From now on, all Aeroflot air hostesses will be "very striking, very eye-catching girls" and not allowed to exceed a British size 12. As our picture essay shows, he's the latest in a long line of airline bosses to promote his company through its female flight attendants. This photo of stewardesses working for Trans Canada Air Lines - later to become Air Canada - dates from 1949.