In the age of differentiate or die, the airline is pulling a new public relations stunt – literally. It has revealed that all operational flight attendants are now fully Wing Chun martial arts trained, since the initiative was launched in March 2011.

(Its new commercial on YouTube – see video below – is also based on this differentiation, pretty cool video actually).

Wing Chun is the only form of martial arts created by a woman. It enhances general well being and reinforces physical health and mental wellness. The Wing Chun training is compulsory for all of the airline’s cabin crew members. It aims to promote inner balance and core strength, needed for the rigors of the job, and enables them to deal with any potential challenges.

Primarily taught as self defense, the moves are designed to be accomplished in a restrictive space – like on board an aircraft. Apparently, the airline gets about 12 “disruptive” passengers a month so these moves can come in handy.

Yang Jian Hong, President for Hong Kong Airlines, stated: “We are very proud to celebrate the completion of Wing Chun martial arts training across all of our operational flight attendants.

“Aside from the obvious physical, mental and safety benefits, this demonstrates our commitment to delivering exceptional passenger service. The initiative has proved so popular with our flight attendants that we are now offering the training to our internal staff.”

Each cabin crew member must complete a three hour training course before they operate on their first flight. Flight attendants train in their uniforms to prepare them for real life situations.

The first ever all Club Class Hong Kong Airlines service between London and Hong Kong launched on March 8.

In January, the airline placed an order for 10 Airbus A380 aircraft worth about US$3.8 billion at list prices, signaling ambitious expansion plans between Hong Kong and Europe. That order though could be in jeopardy over growing tensions between China and the European Union over the carbon emissions trading scheme with the airline threatening to cancel it should the row escalate.

It was also due to list early this year but said it was holding off until the third quarter due to market volatility, something even these newly-trained martial arts cabin attendants cannot fix.