Nicole Kidman runs into turbulence for airline commercial

A flight attendants’ union is criticizing actress Nicole Kidman for filming a commercial for Etihad Airways. 

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) said Etihad and other airlines based in the United Arab Emirates “are well-known in our industry for their discriminatory labor practices and deplorable treatment of female employees.” 

The union said in an April 2 letter to Kidman that she should reconsider her decision to work with Etihad because the airline’s practices are contrary to the actress’s “efforts to advance women’s rights around the world as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador.”

{mosads}“Using your profile and stature for such a noble endeavor is commendable,” APFA President Laura Glading wrote. “However, we believe those efforts are at odds with your prominent role in an advertising campaign for Etihad Airways.” 

U.S. airlines have been at odds with Etihad and other Middle Eastern airlines over alleged violations of Open Skies agreements between the U.S. and the UAE. 

Glading said she was disappointed to see Kidman appearing in commercials for Etihad because the airline is “a regressive company that seeks to return our industry to its darkest ages.” 

Glading blamed what she called questionable conditions at Etihad on the UAE’s culture. 

“Sadly, Etihad’s abhorrent labor policies are hardly surprising when one considers the fact that the airline is wholly owned by the UAE, a country where the only thing that is being ‘stepped up’ for women and girls is the level of abuse,” she wrote. “According to a recent article by Business Insider, ‘the UAE is a country where husbands are permitted to beat their wives. There is no legal recourse for marital rape, and the UAE has imprisoned victims who report rape to authorities — including Western tourists.’” 

Glading said Kidman should reconsider her decision to endorse Etihad. 

“We urge you, on behalf of the women and girls that you spoke of so eloquently, not to play a part in promoting Etihad Airways, a company that imposes abusive labor practices on its female employees and whose sole owner is a government that stands against the very world that you imagine,” she wrote. “The APFA — a union that represents 25,000 flight attendants, including nearly 19,000 female crewmembers — has long been a leading voice on the issue of discriminatory labor practices in our industry. We would gladly welcome your voice to our effort.” 

Etihad defended its labor practices, saying its policies go further than the UAE’s laws.

“Our commitment to the welfare, safety, and well-being of the diverse group of men and women who have worked so hard to make Etihad Airways great is one of our airline’s top priorities,” the company said in a statement that was provided to The Hill.

“That commitment to our employees extends beyond our world class salaries and benefits,” the Etihad statement continued. “Our crew are entitled to the full scope of benefits in line with UAE laws, but we choose to go further. Etihad provides many benefits that exceed those requirements significantly, such as housing allowances, comprehensive medical insurance, education expenses, company-wide performance bonuses, robust HR practices, career advancement opportunities, global flight benefits, emergency services, childcare services, and a generous leave policy.”

–This report was updated at 11:20 a.m.