Celebrating its 100th birthday in August 2019, British Airways are set to redesign their iconic uniform for all its customer-facing staff, it has been revealed.
The British flag carrier confirmed it will be introducing a new uniform as part of its centenary celebrations.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, British Airways commented: “We’re very much looking forward to celebrating our centenary next year.
“Our uniforms have been iconic symbols of the British Airways brand throughout our history, so we are excited that during this landmark year we will be introducing a new one to take us into the next chapter in our history. We look forward to sharing more details as soon as we are able to.”
However, specific design details are still under wraps. According to cabin crew blog, Paddle Your Own Kanoo, there’s rumours that “acclaimed British fashion house Burberry has been selected to design the new look for the airline’s 40,000+ employees”.
The airline’s last uniform was designed in 2004 by ex-Chanel and Givenchy designer Julien MacDonald and is worn by staff worldwide including cabin crew, dispatchers and check-in agents.
MacDonald said: “I was thrilled to be asked to design a new uniform for British Airways.
“As a designer for some of the world’s most glamorous women, it was a great challenge to design a uniform that is worn by such a large number of staff of different ages and sizes, and who work in many different roles worldwide.
“The uniform proudly signals the airline’s British heritage and blues, through the quality and attention to detail and in the overall professional image to the collection.”
MacDonald made the controversial decision to give woman a choice between skirts and trousers.
Part of its heritage, the uniform is an iconic pinstripe navy blue. Staff are subject to strict ‘Uniform Wearers Standards’ which outlines how the uniform must be worn.
Female flight attendants must wear a pinstripe navy blue smart fitted jacket, skirt with the hemline on the knee or pant trousers with a white blouse tucked in. They must also wear a blue, red and white cravat and either court shoes or loafers with hosiery.
Men must also wear a smart fitted jacket with trousers at least 25mm off the ground.
They must also wear a white shirt tucked in and a tie in the iconic blue, white and red.
All staff are required to wear the brevet, encrusted with the ‘astral crown’ and a rising sun. The pin also proudly states the airline’s slogan: To fly. To serve.
From the 1930s to present, the airline’s uniform is the most powerful symbol of the brand and recognisable around the world.
