British Airways revamps uniforms. Secretly tested to arrive at the perfect outfit

British Airways today announced a new uniform collection by renowned British designer Ozwald Boateng OBE. The line will be worn by more than 30,000 airline employees from spring 2023.

Starting in spring 2023, airline engineers and ground representatives will be the first to wear the new uniform. The entire cabin crew, pilots, and British Airways check-in agents will change to their uniform by the summer of 2023

Sean Doyle, President and CEO of British Airways, said, "Our uniform is a symbol of our brand that will carry us into the future. It represents the best of modern Britain and is designed to offer customers a quality original British service.Right from the start, we wanted to create a line of uniforms that our community could wear with pride. With the input of more than 1,500 colleagues, we hope to have achieved this goal The collection includes a tailored suit for men with regular and slim fit pants, along with suit, skirt and pants options for women. In addition there is a modern suit, which is an innovative product in the airline industry.

The new uniforms

Boateng carefully designed a very special collection of uniforms, inspired by the art of airline and flying. The Airwave theme that characterizes the entire line, including jackets, T-shirts, buttons and ties, was inspired by the movement of air above the wings of an airplane.

Boateng's collection from 2018 is made from jacquard fabrics and features a variation of the airline's iconic speedmarque. The modern and elegant design includes durable and quality materials, ensuring comfort and ease of maintenance

Sustainability and quality were at the heart of the entire uniform design process. Over 90% of the garments are made from recycled fabrics made from renewed polyester blends

British Airways, as part of its BA Better World commitment, has chosen to work only with producers who are part of the Better Cotton initiative. This is the leading global initiative for more sustainable cotton, aimed at improving the living conditions and welfare of cotton farmers and protecting the environment.

Secretly tested to improve details

More than 1,500 airline employees participated in 50 sessions to ensure the quality of the garments, from lab design to feedback on prototypes and testing the pieces, contributing to the creation of an iconic collection that will be enduring

To ensure that the clothing is appropriate, the airline has been secretly testing the uniforms for the past half year. Cabin and flight crew uniforms were tested on cargo flights throughout Europe, while engineers discreetly wore the new uniforms while keeping aircraft out of sight at airports in Manchester and Cotswold.

Many outdoor garments were tested in deluge showers and freezers down to -18 degrees Celsius to ensure that they were waterproof, weatherproof, and suitable for extreme weather conditions. During the tests, staff expressed opinions on the practicality of the clothing, possibly bringing in modifications before launch.

For example, engineers have nrequired easily accessible tool pockets while working on aircraft, and ground operators have requested gloves with touch-screen technology so they can use devices without having to remove them even in the coldest weather conditions.

Emma Carey, a British Airways cabin crew member who conducted secret tests on the new uniform, said, "It was a great privilege and responsibility to help put the uniform to the test. We did tests at high altitudes to make sure it performed as expected with thousands of colleagues entrusted to me. We were pleased to note that changes were made as a result of our feedback. For example, the apron pockets have been enlarged for more space during meal service on board. We are excited to introduce the new collection to our customers."

Old uniforms recycled and donated

BA has also thought about how to dispose of, in the most sustainable way possible, the old uniforms of the entire staff. As they pick up their new clothes, employees will deliver Julien MacDonald garments to be donated to charity or that will be recycled to produce toys, tablet cases, and other items that will end up in the airline's museum.