Back in September 2016, nearly 5,000 flight attendants at American Airlines complain of skin reactions and other healthy complaints after the carrier introduced its first new uniform in 25 years.
Flight attendants complained of hives, rashes and difficulty breathing as a result of wearing the new uniform which later became a major problem for the Dallas Fort Worth-based airline since.
Starting in March 2017, flight attendants were allowed to either wear their old pre-2016 uniform and buy and off-the-rack alternative instead of wearing the company-issued uniform that was causing problems.
However, that policy will be coming to an end on March 1, 2020 when the latest American Airline uniform will be rolled out.
American Airlines has been working with workwear manufacturer Lands’ End since last year to develop the new look and claims it has “gone above and beyond to ensure the highest levels of garment safety.”
The change in policy was leaked by Twitter user JonNYC (@xJonNYC) who has a reputation of sharing important internal developments at the airline.
The full memo reads:
“As we look forward, we’re a matter of months away from launching our new Lands’ End uniform program. Ordering kicks off in late October, giving team members time to order their new uniform, receive items and determine if exchanges or alterations are needed before March 1, 2020 – the day we will all be able to proudly wear the new Aviation Blue uniforms as one team.
Getting to this point has been a journey. We’ve spent the last two years creating an industry-leading uniform program you can be proud of an feel confident wearing. The new uniforms have been developed and tested with an unprecedented level of team member and union leader input and feedback every step of the way. Together, we’ve gone above and beyond to ensure the highest levels of garment safety. Each garment will be STANDARD 100 certified by OEKO-TEX, which is something no other airline uniform program can boast. On top of all this, and for the first time ever, you will have a choice between two suiting fabric options (standard and synthetic) when ordering to ensure you have a uniform made from the fabric that best suits you. After all, this is your uniform.
With that in mind, all team members will be expected to wear the Lands’ End uniform when they come to work beginning March 1. No more mixing and matching uniform collection, no variations of grays and blues, and no alternate options. For American’s customers, we are the face of the airline, and it’s time we reclaim our image as the most professional, most caring and most dedicated airline.”
The redesigned uniforms being produced will be in a shade of blue called Parisian blue with Cobalt colored detailing on the cuffs have been swapped out for a deep shade of red, while neck scarfs feature a plaid design.
Although a new signature dress won’t be revealed until next year, several hundred flight attendants have been testing the new uniform for several months.
