For the first time in nearly 20 years, British Airways has changed the uniform, allowing female crew members to don jumpsuits and hijabs.
From spring 2023, more than 30,000 employees of the airline will wear the new uniforms, which were reportedly created by British-Ghanaian Savile Row fashion designer and tailor Ozwald Boateng.
For males, the collection offers a tailored three-piece suit with conventional and slim-fit style pants, while for ladies, there are dress, skirt, and trouser options. An airline first, women will also have the option of choosing a contemporary jumpsuit. Additionally, a tunic and hijab have been designed.
Boateng shadowed BA employees as part of his study project, which he started in 2018, to examine how they carried out their jobs. More than 1,500 members of the British Airways workforce and cabin crew participated in "secret testing" in the air and on the ground to test the apparel and provide feedback.
Engineers have been covertly donning the new uniforms while performing aeroplane 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 waterproof, strong, and suitable for extreme weather situations like some of those recently experienced, several of the outdoor clothing items have also been tested in downpour showers and freezers at -18 degrees Celsius.
Colleagues' comments on the wearability of the clothing during the trials led to changes before the rollout. Engineers, for instance, asked for tool compartments with quick access for when they work on aircraft, while ground handlers sought touch-screen fabric for their gloves so they could use their devices in frigid temperatures without taking them off.
British Airways cabin crew, who was one of the colleagues who carried out secret trials of the uniform, Emma Carey said: “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.”
BA reiterated it won’t allow men and women to mix and match their uniforms but male cabin crew can “wear a touch of mascara,” false eyelashes and nail varnish.
Trans staff can choose a uniform that most suits their gender identity.
Apparently, Boateng has developed bespoke fabrics and designs for the collection, taking inspiration from the airline’s people and the experience of flight.
An “airwave” pattern that features across the entire uniform collection including jackets, T-shirts, buttons and ties was inspired by the movement of air over an aircraft wing. The jacquard fabric across all of the tailored garments features a variation of the airline’s iconic “speedmarque”.
Boateng says: “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 timeless.”
British Airways chairman and CEO, Sean Doyle, 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.”