British Airways has unveiled a new uniform, the first in nearly 20 years.
From Spring 2023, the airline’s staff will be wearing the new uniform designed by British-Ghanaian Savile Row fashion designer and tailor Ozwald Boateng, OBE.
The new looks will include a modern jumpsuit for women, which the airline says is a first, and will also have a tunic and hijab option.
The collection features a tailored three-piece suit for men with regular and slim fit style trousers and dress, skirt and trouser options for women.
“Our current uniform was introduced in 2004, so it’s time for a change. Introducing a new uniform allows us to further demonstrate our position as a contemporary, modern brand representing the best of British design, whilst also working closely with our colleagues to design a uniform that they’re proud to wear,” a British Airways spokesperson told media.
The airline said that Boateng has been developing the collection since 2018, and has shadowed a number of airport roles to understand how the uniform needed to perform for each job and ensure a modern British, stylish look with high quality fabrics that are easy to care for.
More than 1,500 BA employees took part in 50 workshops to help ensure the garments suitability, from design workshops to prototype feedback and garment trials, helping shape the new collection.
The airline has put the new uniform on ‘secret trial’ over the last six months to make sure that each garment is fit for purpose. Cabin and flight crew uniforms have been put through their paces on cargo flights across Europe while engineers have been secretly wearing the new uniforms while maintaining aircraft out of sight in Manchester and Cotswold Airports.
Employees who took part in the trial gave feedback on the practicability of the garments, and amendments were made ahead of the rollout.
“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,” designer Ozwald Boateng, OBE said in a statement.
The airline’s engineers and ground operations agents will be first to wear the new uniform from Spring 2023.