Renowned for blazing their own style in the skies, Air Asia has launched a bold range of personal protective equipment (PPE) outfits with the aim of keeping both cabin crew ”Allstars”, and customers stay safe through the inflight experience.
At first glance you may be thinking “Is this for real?” But in these uncertain times, reality it seems has taken on a whole new meaning.
Asia’s most prolific low-cost carrier unveiled the traffic-stopping new outfits which include a visor, medical mask and red-hot red boiler suit, last Friday on a recovery flight from Bangkok to Manila.
So yes, they are very real.
Designed in collaboration with Filipino (now L.A based) fashion designer Puey Quiñones, the PPE suits, which are made of “breathable yet sturdy material” embrace the airline’s signature red-hot brand colour and have reportedly been approved by the Philippines’ Department of Health.
The Allstar Air Asia flight attendants will wear new uniforms when flights resume domestically from Wednesday.
Jokes aside, the airlines says it hopes the uniform would help protect staff and passengers from coronavirus.
Air Asia’s Vice Chairman in the Philippines Sheila Romero says that the PPE is comfortable because it is not so thick and heavy yet it serves its purpose.
”I like that it’s chic and sporty-similar to what Formula One race car drivers wear. ”This fusion of fashion and safety will define the new standards of flying today.”
Sheila Romero, Air Asia’s Vice Chairman in the Philippines
Designer Puey Quinones proudly posted images of the uniforms on Instagram, saying: ”AirAsia launches PPEs to protect its cabin crews. ”Designed by me. Thank you.”
Romero added: ”The PPE is designed to announce that we are proudly AirAsia, and we will rise from this pandemic. ”I want to boost the morale of our staff when they wear this new uniform.”
The majority of Air Asia planes have been grounded since last month, and as yet, there is no confirmed date for the resumption of long-haul flights.
Could Air Asia now lead the way in creating a new health standard of cabin crew outfits? We have so many questions already and will watch on with interest.