Which uniforms do cabin crew like?
Cabin crew uniforms in recent years have become iconic and very much represent the face of the airline as image is all-important. Uniforms are studied and tested vigorously to make sure they meet the task at hand, but they also become instantly recognizable. Famous fashion designers are often drafted in to create the perfect look. Here we look at five of the nicest (and most distinctive!) cabin crew uniforms.
This Emirates uniform in the photo above is a classic and is known especially for the beige and pinstripe fabric with a dash of red but also for the famous red hat and white-colored veil. It was launched in 2009 and was unusually designed by an English uniform company, whereas most airlines choose fashion designers. It was complex as Emirates at the time had 23,000 cabin crew to clothe.
They wanted a sharp, business-like look with sophistication and for the uniform to really stand out at an airport. The design team observed cabin crew on a flight to New Zealand to really understand how the fabric needed to be flexible yet sturdy to complete the tasks of the crew. They also understood that the uniform needed to be well perceived by the public. It was rolled out along with the new Airbus A380 fleet and continues to be one of the most recognizable airline uniforms in the world.
Another classic cabin crew uniform – that of Singapore Airlines is highly significant to hospitality and culture in Asia and has not been changed since 1968, so something must be right! It was designed by Pierre Balmain and is an ethnic style 'sarong kebaya'. The uniform still today represents the 'Singapore Girl' and is extremely iconic. The different colors signify seniority – a flight attendant wears the purple version, the lead flight attendant the emerald one, and the chief flight attendant wears ruby. Meanwhile, the indigo version is worn by the inflight manager.
In 2014, Virgin Atlantic decided on an environmentally friendly uniform constructed from a fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood designed a glamorous and stylish uniform inspired by French couture in the 1940s and with a nod to the tailoring of London's Savile Row. It is the epitome of chic, featuring classic Westwood touches, and is very popular with its cabin crew. Virgin Atlantic has always been at the forefront of uniform standards and has made changes to their policies on make-up, tattoos, and females being able to wear trousers.
Oman Air's latest uniform was launched in 2019 as part of their 'state of grace' campaign. It is sophisticated and elegant, and the turquoise color represents the sea of Oman. The uniform is well tailored and influenced by old-world glamour and charm. It is inspired by the rich colors of the country and its culture and history and symbolizes the warmth and friendliness of Oman. The male crew members and the cabin services director wear a slightly darker shade of teal.
One of the most stylish and stunning cabin crew uniforms of all time – it was launched purposively at Paris Couture Week in 2017. It was designed by Laurence Xu and combines traditional Chinese imagery with contemporary design. The uniform combines the traditional Chinese 'cheongsam' dress with the western modern suit and features clouds, Chinese motifs, and the mythical 'roc' bird. The airline's aim was to encourage international passengers and show that the region is modern and trendy.
Writer – Patricia joins Simple Flying with over 20 years of experience in aviation. She has served as cabin crew on flights from economy-class to private jets. Patricia has a master’s level postgraduate diploma in Human Factors in Aviation and has written about aviation since 2010. Based in Dubai