BA has launched its new uniforms designed by Ozwald Boateng OBE – but it’s getting the thumbs down from cabin crew.
Jay Robert, who has worked as senior cabin crew for Emirates, asked flight attendants around the world via his popular Fly Guy’s Cabin Crew Lounge network to share their thoughts on the new garments.
In a poll, cabin crew were asked whether they liked the new uniforms, or whether they prefer the carrier’s original uniform, which was designed by Julien MacDonald in 2004.
At the time of writing, more than 1,100 flight attendants (88 per cent) working for different airlines around the world voted in favour of the old uniforms, while just under 150 (12 per cent) said they liked the new outfits.
One commenter declared the new uniform ‘dreadful’, saying: ‘It’s so old-fashioned in a bad, frumpy way.’ Another seconded that opinion, writing: ‘It already looks dated.’ And a third commenter wrote: ‘The old one had style, [it was] more classic!’
In a poll on the popular Fly Guy’s Cabin Crew Lounge network, cabin crew were asked whether they liked British Airways’ new uniforms (above)
More than 1,100 flight attendants (88 per cent) working for different airlines around the world voted in favour of the old uniforms, designed by Julien MacDonald
Jay Robert (above) has worked as senior cabin crew for Emirates and runs the popular Fly Guy’s Cabin Crew Lounge network
‘The new one is quite blah,’ said another flight attendant, while a different cabin crew member wrote: ‘I love BA but this uniform is bad and it looks very cheap.’
‘Ryanair uniforms look much better,’ declared another cabin crew member.
One user compared the uniforms to ‘supermarket uniforms’ while another suggested they looked like a prison warden’s outfit.
Several users weren’t keen on the red pleat at the front of the skirt – one user wrote: ‘Style definitely isn’t my strong point but the skirt looks like it is being worn backwards.’
However, others defended the new uniforms. One user said: ‘The new one looks smarter. More casual but smart.’
And a second wrote: ‘I have seen them [in person] and they look good! The colours complement each other and it gives a nice clean look!’
The new uniforms were designed by Ozwald Boateng OBE. British Airways says that Boateng took great care in ‘designing a truly original collection, taking inspiration from the airline, its people of the art of flying’
The uniform features a ‘modern jumpsuit’ for cabin crew that is billed as an ‘airline first’. A tunic and hijab option has been created for the carrier
The uniform features a ‘modern jumpsuit’ for female cabin crew that is billed as an ‘airline first’. The collection also features dress, skirt and trouser options for women and a tailored three-piece suit for men. A tunic and hijab option has also been created for the carrier.
Although the new uniforms were gendered, a new BA policy allows staff who identify as a certain gender to wear that clothing.
British Airways says that Boateng took great care in ‘designing a truly original collection, taking inspiration from the airline, its people of the art of flying’.
As the new uniform finally takes to the skies, it’s been reported that some female BA staff members aren’t impressed by the non-binary uniforms, with a source telling The Sun that the airline ought to have produced a ‘dedicated uniform for non-binary and gender fluid crew’ instead.
However, BA’s non-gender-specific uniform policy has its supporters. Commenting on the uniforms on Twitter, user ‘nzrdb6’ said it’s ‘great that people are free to express themselves’. And another user, ‘AdamQureshi’, described it as a ‘very good’ move.
BA previously stated: ‘We are proud of all of our colleagues at British Airways and we are committed to an inclusive working environment.’
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Eighty-eight per cent of cabin crew give the new British Airways uniform the thumbs down in online poll – declaring it ‘frumpy’, ‘old-fashioned’ and ‘blah’
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