After debuting its new uniforms with ground crew in May, British Airways has rolled out its fresh threads among all customer-facing staff including cabin crew and pilots.
Designed by British-Ghanaian fashion designer Ozwald Boateng OBE, the new British Airways uniform comes in the widest range the airline has ever offered, with 96 individual garments available for staff.
BA claims the new uniforms offer form and function, giving female crew members the option of a dress, skirt trouser suit or a first-of-its-kind jumpsuit, and males a schmick three-piece suit with either slim or regular fit trousers.
British Airways has created some 850,000 uniform items for more than 30,000 employees, with the most popular garments apparently the dress and trench coat.
The UK’s national carrier says the short sleeve shirt has been more popular than the long-sleeved alternative among blouses and shirts.
“We’re really excited to start the final phase of the rollout of our brand-new uniform for more than 30,000 colleagues,” British Airways Chief Customer Officer Calum Laming said.
“The stylish and modern collection offers our colleagues more choice than ever to help them display more of their original personalities at work.
“Our people have always been at the forefront of our brand, so this launch celebrates them and the work they do to look after our customers.”
Among the new British Airways uniforms’ many features are bespoke materials and patterns – including a jacquard fabric featuring a nod to BA’s iconic speedmarque logo, and scarves and ties inspired by the movement of air over a plane wing.
Behind the scenes
BA crafted over 90 per cent of the items using eco-friendly materials, which primarily consist of recycled polyester blends.
Additionally, the cotton used in the new uniforms has been responsibly sourced through the Better Cotton Initiative, one of the world’s leading sustainability initiatives for cotton.
As part of its BA Better World commitments, British Airways will repurpose its current uniform by donating shirt fabrics to schools in Bangladesh, giving unworn garments to schools and homeless charities in Hounslow (near Heathrow Airport) and upcycling garments into items like teddy bears.
Finally, the carrier has set up Treat Yourself bars at airports to help crew “feel their best” in their new uniforms.
Partnering with ELEMIS and GHD, the airline will pamper staff with a range of products and services like express touch-ups, skin care advice for natural looks and the option to style their hair at the bars before their shifts.
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