British Airways unveils brand new uniforms for the first time in nearly 20 years
British Airways has unveiled a new uniform for the first time in nearly 20 years, with the collection of garments set to ‘take the airline into its next chapter‘.
Over the last few months, the airline's crew has been putting the uniform to the test in secret trials in the skies and on the ground.
Designed by British fashion designer and Savile Row tailor Ozwald Boateng OBE, the uniform, launching in spring, features a ‘modern jumpsuit’ for female cabin crew that is billed as an ‘airline first’.
The collection also features dress, skirt and trouser options for women and a tailored three-piece suit for men with regular and slim-fit style trousers. A tunic and hijab option has also been created for the carrier.
British Airways says that Boateng took great care in 'designing a truly original collection, taking inspiration from the airline, its people of the art of flying'.
The airwave pattern that features across the collection - including on jackets, T-shirts and buttons - was inspired by the movement of air over an aircraft wing. The jacquard fabric across all of the tailored garments ALSO features a variation of the airline’s iconic speedmarque.
Boateng has been developing the collection since 2018 with 'painstaking care', the airline reveals. It says that he shadowed a number of airport roles to understand how the uniform needed to perform for each job and ensure a 'modern British, stylish look' with high quality, resilient fabrics.
More than 1,500 crew across the airline took part in 50 workshops to help ensure the garments' suitability, from design workshops to prototype feedback and garment trials. British Airways says that these workshops have helped to 'create an iconic collection that will stand the test of time'.
In the secret trials, the cabin and flight crew uniforms were put through their paces on cargo flights across Europe while engineers have been secretly wearing the new uniforms while maintaining aircraft out of sight in Manchester and Cotswold Airports.
Many of the outdoor garments were also tested in deluge showers and freezers at minus 18C to ensure they’re water-resistant, durable and fit for extreme weather conditions.
During the trials, the crew gave feedback on the practicability of the garments, leading to alterations ahead of the uniform rollout.
For instance, British Airways says that engineers requested easy access tool pockets for when they’re working on aircraft. Ground handlers also asked for touch-screen technology fabric in their gloves so they can use their devices in cold climates without having to take them off.
Sustainability and quality have been front and centre throughout the uniform design process, the airline said, adding that more than 90 per cent of the garments are produced using sustainable fabric from blends of recycled polyester.
As part of British Airways’ BA Better World commitment to work with sustainable suppliers, the airline is only working with manufacturers that are members of the ‘Better Cotton’ initiative. The group, which is the world’s leading sustainability initiative for cotton, aims to help cotton communities survive and thrive, while protecting and restoring the environment.
The airline’s engineers and ground operations agents will be the first to wear the new uniform from spring. All British Airways’ cabin crew, pilots and check-in agents will have a switchover date from their current uniform to the new one in summer.
British Airways has unveiled a new uniform for the first time in nearly 20 years, with the collection of garments set to ‘take the airline into its next chapter‘.
Over the last few months, the airline's crew has been putting the uniform to the test in secret trials in the skies and on the ground.
Designed by British fashion designer and Savile Row tailor Ozwald Boateng OBE, the uniform, launching in spring, features a ‘modern jumpsuit’ for female cabin crew that is billed as an ‘airline first’.