Air travel requires some basic truths: defying gravity, the company of strangers, and the ups and downs of in-flight menus.

But when it comes to crew uniforms, all bets are off. While some airlines make it a daily priority, others go to great lengths when it comes to what their employees can, cannot or must wear, and iconic designers, including Both Vivienne Westwood are often drafted to be flight attendant-style.

In recent years, there’s been a trend to reject tradition as comfortable trainers replace heels, and sexist uniforms like jumpsuits and blazers are on the rise.

And as the airport dress code debates over jeans and open-toe shoes get heated, what better way to kill time waiting for a delayed flight than to play Gok Wan in flight attendant fashion?

So join us on our tour of the good, the bad, and the totally outdated when it comes to crew attire…

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SkyUp

In 2022, Ukranian airline SkyUp said goodbye to conservative classics – tight skirts and heels – and welcomed loose orange tunics and Nike sneakers. white to the cabin.

Accented with a blue silk scarf, the statement’s new look is a fusion of style and comfort. Marianna Grigorash, head of marketing for SkyUp Airlines, described the light-colored uniform as an image of “the freedom, natural beauty, individuality, pattern-free and sneakers that people like to wear.” Everyone wants to fly.”

Air Wizz

When starting a business, one of the key decisions to be made is whether it is sleek and sophisticated or big and bold. Wizz Air chose the latter when it launched in 2003 and the results were very, very rosy. Anyone who has traveled with low-cost airline Hungary will remember the crew members’ eye-catching vibrant shirts with soft purple cuffs to their advantage.

In 2015, the company’s uniform was renamed, with Wizz Air allowing employees to vote on the new uniform style. This led to the birth of a new clothing item – the full outfit.

Airline British

In its first uniform change in 20 years, in January 2023, British Airways overhauled its Julien MacDonald uniform to equip crews with modern jumpsuits, tunics and headscarves designed by Ozwald Boateng, a tailor from Saville Row.

BA’s new sleek navy designs serve as a counterweight to its famous traditional dress code. New uniforms were developed during tests involving 1,500 employees. Emma Carey, one of the workers consulted on the designs, said: “It was an honor and a responsibility to help test the new uniform and run it at 35,000 feet to make sure it was fit for purpose. goal, along with thousands of my colleagues believe in me.”

Hainan

In 2017, Hainan took things a step further with a new batch of crew uniforms. China Airlines has teamed up with designer Laurence Xu to create a collection of elegant high-fashion-inspired cabin wear called Cheongsam..

The new look was unveiled at Paris Haute Couture Week and was widely acclaimed with Xu’s jacket, hairpin, beret-style hat and heels created to show “full respect for the “for passengers.

Lufthansa

For the past 16 years, the take-off of Oktoberfest in Munich has sent the Lufthansa crew into the sky in dirndl, a Bavarian dress with tight bodice and full skirts.

In 2022, a refined and sustainable design was launched; The traditional blue and white uniform, designed by costume specialist Angermaier, brought a touch of Bavarian flair to flights to Munich for the beer-centric festival.

Qantas

Yes yes yes. Between 1974 and 1985, Australia’s Qantas boasted of clashing colors, wild prints, and no cohesive theme among any of its crew outfits. While menswear straddles the line between chic caddy style and Sunday best, womenswear stands out with its green blazer and floral skirt. Great.

These days, a uniform overhaul in 2023 has seen Qantas waive the requirement for high heels and make-up for flight attendants of all genders, for the first time in 102’s history. firm year.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines cabin crew are known for their uniforms inspired by the kebaya sarong, a traditional garment worn by women in Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. While the blue sarong remains an airline staple, the four colors represent the role of the “Singapore Girl” who wears it.

The uniform, designed by Parisian fashion designer Pierre Balmain, was launched in 1972 and has more or less remained the same since. Verdict: if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.

New Zealand Airlines

To say that Air New Zealand flight attendants stand out from the crowd is an understatement. The word baroque comes to mind when looking at Trelise Cooper’s vibrant purple and black uniform, designed in 2010.

But what’s even more impressive is that the current out-of-date look isn’t the airline’s most out-of-date fashion item. Think “jelly bean” miniskirts in the 1980s and the history of dubious hats – what a pity.

The Emirates

Emirates’ Simon Jersey-designed uniforms are instantly recognizable with the red hats, cream scarves and beige suits that employees wear whenever they are in public.

Perhaps more famous than their costumes are the makeup routines of the female crew members. They must wear one of the approved shades of red to match the hat, wear their hair in one of the accepted styles – French curls or twists or braids – and are encouraged to go through the dressing process. point seven steps.

Cebu Pacific

Philippine airline Cebu Pacific has had many bold uniforms through the ages, including an orange and yellow uniform that is said to symbolize the sun.

Dissatisfied with this bold look, the airline launched some even bolder, brighter, yellow with denim accents – yes, denim – by Jun Escario in 2016. His usual in aviation fashion? inimitable.

Atlantic

Flag-raising the gender-neutral uniform, Virgin Atlantic’s bright red Vivienne Westwood style is a fashion airline staple.

Since 2019, the airline has allowed female employees to wear trousers as part of their standard uniform, but now the choice between trousers or a knee-length pencil skirt has been extended. for all employees – however they define it.

hawaiian airline

Hawaiian Airline’s lehua floral print pieces might have been a pretty stylish hit, but 2016 was clearly the year for the flight attendants’ bold fashion choices, and a purple and blue cape by the way. someone got into the cabin.

Hilo’s Sig Zane is the designer behind the aerodynamic item, but, respectfully, in the words of horror movies Edna Mode icon, “NO CAPES” has never applied to a more sinful style.