- Taking the airline into its next chapter, British Airways unveils a new work uniform.
- Created by renowned British Fashion Designer-Ozwald Boateng, the collection of garments will be worn by more than 30,000 of the airline’s colleagues from spring 2023.
Here’s what British Airways new workwear collection has to offer:
The collection offers a fitted three-piece suit with regular or thin-cut style trousers for men and trouser options for women as well including a contemporary jumpsuit- which is an airline first. For the international carrier, a tunic and hijab option has also been created.
Sean Doyle, British Airways Chairman and CEO, said: “Our uniform is an iconic representation of our brand, something that will carry us into our future, representing the very best of modern Britain and helping us deliver a great British original service for our customers. From the very start this has been about our people.’’
‘’We wanted to create a uniform collection that our people are proud to wear and with the help of over 1,500 colleagues, we are confident that we have delivered this.” adds further.
Designer Boateng worked meticulously to create a totally unique collection
Boateng took great effort to create a completely unique collection, drawing inspiration from the airline and its people. The movement of air over the aircraft wing served as an inspiration for the airwave design that appears on the entire uniform collection, including jackets, t-shirts, buttons, and ties. The jacquard fabric across all the customized clothing features a variation of the airline’s iconic speedmarque.
Boateng has been meticulously creating the collection since 2018. In order to understand how the uniform was required to function for each position and provide a contemporary British style with durable, high-quality textiles that are simple to take care of, he shadowed a number of airport roles. More than 1,500 coworkers from across the airline participated in 50 workshops to ensure the suitability of the clothing, including design workshops, prototype feedback sessions, and garment trials. This helped develop a timeless collection.
The airline has been putting the outfit to the test over the previous six months in covert trials to ensure that each item is functional. Engineers have been covertly donning the new uniforms while performing flight maintenance out of sight in Manchester and Cotswold Airports while the cabin and flight crew clothes have been put to the test on cargo flights around Europe. In order to make sure they are water resistant, strong, and suitable for harsh weather situations, several of the outdoor clothing items have also been tested in downpour rains and freezers at -18 degrees Celsius.
Feedback from the trials was incorporated
Colleagues’ feedback on the wearability of the clothing during the trials led to changes before the rollout. Engineers, for instance, asked for tool compartments with easy access for when they work on aircraft, while ground handlers asked for touch-screen technology fabric in their gloves so they can use their devices in cold climates without having to take them off.
Ozwald Boateng OBE, British, Ghanaian changemaker, fashion designer, and master tailor, said: “Designing this uniform was a vast and painstaking undertaking and it went far beyond clothes. It was about creating an energetic shift internally. One of my main objectives was to create something that spoke to, and for, the airline’s colleagues.’’
Something that inspired and empowered them, encouraged them to conduct their roles with pride and most importantly to ensure that they felt seen and heard. Although the airline has a strong heritage, it was imperative to support in creating a fresh narrative of change and transcendence, while remaining timeliness.” adds further.
Emma Carey, British Airways cabin crew, who was one of the colleagues who carried out secret trials of the uniform, said: “It’s been a real honor and responsibility to help test the new uniform and put it through its paces at 35,000ft to make sure it’s fit for purpose, with thousands of my colleagues counting on me. It was great to see that adjustments were made after our feedback. The pockets on the apron, for example, were widened after the trial so we had more room for everything we need during meal services on board. I can’t wait for our customers to see the new collection.”
Quality and sustainability have been prioritized throughout the uniform design process
More than 90% of the clothing is made using environmentally friendly fabric made from recycled polyester mixes. The ‘Better Cotton’ initiative, the world’s foremost sustainability initiative for cotton, was founded with the goal of assisting cotton communities in surviving and thriving while protecting and restoring the environment. 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 initiative.
Beginning in the spring of 2023, the airline’s engineers and ground personnel will be the first to wear the new uniform. The new uniform will become mandatory for all British Airways flight attendants, pilots, and check-in agents in the summer of 2023. They will return their old uniforms while picking up their new ones, and those from Julien MacDonald will be repurposed to make toys, tablet holders, and other objects, with some of them being donated to the airline’s museum.
Also read: NZ Post Launches New Uniforms for the Mail Carriers and Couriers
