New human-shaped cutout makes debut; flight attendant lookalikes leave people wondering who's who

▲ Group photo of the 12 flight attendants featured in the 2015 calendar. (Photo / Liu Ni, reporter. The following images are the same.)

By Liu Ni, trainee reporter, Taipei

Far Eastern Air Transport unveiled new human-shaped cutouts and the 2015 calendar on the 5th, introducing 12 flight attendants who served as the calendar’s stars. Among them were several who bear striking resemblances to celebrities like Rainie Yang, Bai Xinyu, and Janine Chang—so uncanny from afar that the event felt like a red carpet affair, almost like the Golden Horse Awards gala.

▲ Flight attendants holding charitable gifts, serving as ambassadors of love.

Twin sisters Lü Yaxin and Lü Yali appear in the February and May calendar pages. Both have adorable smiling eyes and bear a resemblance to Rainie Yang. Before becoming flight attendants, the two often joked about covering for each other if one wanted to skip work—surely no one would notice. Unexpectedly, they were both selected as Far Eastern flight attendants, fulfilling their dream of working together.

During the interview process, there was a small anecdote: the recruiters once asked them separately, if only one could be chosen, whom would they recommend? The sisters both recommended each other without hesitation. Touched by their deep sisterly bond, the recruiters made an exception and hired both, creating Far Eastern’s first pair of twin flight attendants. Even outsiders find it hard to tell them apart, and even their co-pilots often ask, “Which one of you is the elder sister, and which is the younger?” So far, the two haven’t worked on the same flight together, but they say they’re looking forward to the 2015 schedule and believe working on the same flight will bring more fun.

December’s calendar star, Xiao Yiying, has the elegant charm of actress Janine Chang. She previously worked as a sales clerk at an airport duty-free shop, where customers once bought items in the store on the spot to give her as gifts—proof of her popularity. When asked about her favorite travel destination, Xiao recommended Mount Fuji in Tokyo, whose vast and magnificent scenery left a deep impression on her.

Besides these eye-catching celebrity lookalikes, Far Eastern actually has a “star flight attendant”—Xu Yonglin, who placed fourth in the 2014 Star Avenue finals. When asked whether she had to adjust her mindset after transitioning from being a somewhat famous singer to a service-industry flight attendant, Xu laughed and said that to her, it’s just a different role. Moreover, she loves being a flight attendant and is fully committed to it; singing is now just a hobby in her life.

▲ Xu Yonglin, once a popular contestant in singing competitions, is now a Far Eastern flight attendant.

Lu Jirong, vice president of Far Eastern, mentioned that all the newly trained flight attendants on-site are ready to bring passengers a fresh experience in 2015. Far Eastern plans to recruit 25 to 30 new flight attendants in 2015 and continue to explore new routes in Mainland China and Taiwan, as well as in Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia. She looks forward to Far Eastern’s new developments.