The desire for male flight attendants is due, in part, to contend with drunk and rude passengers.
The industry's greater willingness to hire more men is in line with airlines around the world that have long been open to male flight attendants. The male hires also help smaller-and-mid-sized players to standout from the larger airlines.
Of Star Flyer's 160 cabin crew members, eight are men, and the airline plans to recruit six more male flight attendants by this summer.
"The use of male cabin attendants is effective in impressing upon passengers that we offer a different service from big airlines," a Star Flyer spokesperson says.
At the country's two biggest airlines, Japan Airlines Co. and All Nippon Airways Co., men make up 1% of flight attendants. That compares with 40% for Singapore Airlines and 10% for Korean Air Lines.