Fly Girls
By Kari Croop,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
In-flight show airs mixed messages about women and work.
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What's the Story?
FLY GIRLS follows five different members of Virgin Atlantic Airlines' "in-flight team," commonly known to most people as flight attendants. But these women aren't your typical jet-setters; they're also members of Virgin's elite "promo team" who get to work corporate events and rub elbows with celebrities and VIPs. When they're not at work, they're living together in a California beach house they call "The Crash Pad."
Is It Any Good?
With the title alone, Fly Girls could rub some women the wrong way. After all, we're talking about working women in their 20s and 30s, who are hardly "girls." But it slips way beyond subtle sexism when it goes on to present their job as a fun way to flirt with IFB's (that's "in-flight boyfriend") and work parties with celebrity guests, where they're mainly there to serve as eye candy.
One could also argue that the show presents a positive alternative for women who don't want, as flight attendant Mandalay puts it, "the traditional life of settling down, getting married and having kids." But it's too bad that alternative seems to be squeezing into a form-fitting pencil skirt and fighting your way to the top of a fire truck to pose for pictures with the company president at a VIP event. As one of the "girls," puts it, it's "the coveted position."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about consumerism and how this series directly promotes the Virgin Atlantic Airways brand. How often do you see the Virgin logo? How often do the characters mention the Virgin brand? When characters talk, what words do they use to describe the airline and its clientele?
How do these women stack up as role models? Does it bother you that the airline seems to use them -- and their attractiveness -- to promote an image of luxury and sexy sophistication? Where are all the male flight attendants?
In terms of reality television, does the series portray the women's personal lives and careers in a realistic way? Can flight attendants afford homes like the "Crash Pad" featured on the show? Do you think any of the episodes are planned out or scripted? How can you tell?
TV Details
- Premiere date: March 24, 2010
- Network: CW
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 25, 2022
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