Oct 16 (Emirates247): Air hostesses with Kunming Airlines are saying no to a bizarre ritual which involves being stuffed in overhead baggage lockers.

An online furore sparked accusations of bullying after photos emerged of what the airline company described as a celebratory ritual.

Kunming Airlines denied stewardesses were forced into the confined space typically reserved for hand luggage, quoting a female employee as saying they did so of their own will as a playful act among crew members that was made possible by the company's 'harmonious and familiar' environment.

The bizarre unofficial ritual at Kunming Airlines acts as a welcoming celebration for new employees and has been going on for five years.

But a group of Chinese hostesses are now saying enough is enough.

The hostesses from the airline company complained on WeChat, sharing photos of the flight attendants being squeezed into a narrow space by male safety officers.

The post alleged that nearly all cabin crew were forced into lockers by security staff after completing 30 to 50 hours service at the airline.

According to a report from The Beijing News, Kunming Airline has investigated the incident and claimed that it was an individual case.

The Chinese state news organisation, CCTVNews, reported that the stewardesses uploaded the images after growing unrest about the airline rituals.

The post went viral online and sparked heated dispute among Chinese web users.

Kunming Airlines has been forced to apologize after images emerged showing female air hostesses being forced to lie in the overhead luggage compartment.

The company claimed the executive level never knew about the ritual, nor had it ever received any complaints.

But netizens did not believe the company was previously unaware of the practice since it had gone on for four years.

Other cabin crew have also posted images on social media of colleagues posing in the lockers.