During her 32-year career as a flight attendant, Maria Wupur flashed the standard "six-tooth" smile to passengers more times than she can remember.

In 1979, Xinjiang Airlines Co chose the 54-year-old as the first Uygur cabin crew member, three years after she served in the air force of People's Liberation Army.

"The selection procedure was very strict, the same as for the pilots, and I was the only candidate selected," she said.