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British Airways' new pilot and flight attendant uniforms are here. See the new look and how it's changed over the decades.

Taylor RainsJan 12, 2024, 22:39 IST

British Airways

For the first time in 20 years, all British Airways employees will sport brand-new uniforms.
The 125-piece collection includes hijabs, tunics, a trench coat, and an industry-first jumpsuit.

British Airways has a new look for the first time in 20 years

After first teasing the new garb in January, the London-based airline finally released its new pilot and flight attendant uniforms on Thursday.

A dress, skirt, trouser suit, and a "stylish" jumpsuit make up the women's wardrobe, while a three-piece suit with regular or slim trousers is available for men. Other items like a trench coat, hijab, ties, tunic, and a long or short-sleeved top are also part of the collection.

The entire line-up consists of 125 individual pieces — the trench coat and dress being the most popular, according to British Airways.

Take a look at the airline's full collection, and how its uniforms have changed over the decades.

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Created by British-Ghanaian fashion designer Ozwald Boateng, British Airways' new uniforms will be the norm for nearly all employees starting on September 28.

Courtesy of British Airways

This comes after over 5,000 employees, including engineers, mechanics, and ground staff, started wearing the outfits in May 2023.

BA's ground operations uniforms unveiled in May 2023.British Airways

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All of the garments and patterns have been carefully selected to represent the brand as well as create continuity across the collection.

British Airways' new uniforms.British Airways

The jumpsuit is an industry-first, according to the airline. A tunic and hijab have also been created as an option for employees.

British Airways' new uniforms.British Airways

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The new outfits were first teased in January when the carrier published a two-minute video of employees sporting the new looks.

British Airways' new uniforms.British Airways

In addition to regular wear and tear testing, the company also trialed the clothes in 0-degree showers and freezers.

British Airways' new uniforms.British Airways

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Changes were made to the design during the process as employees requested modifications specific to their roles.

British Airways' new uniforms.British Airways

The upgrade comes after 20 years of the same look, which was first introduced in 2003 and became one of the most-recognized uniforms in the industry.

British Airways uniforms from 2003-2023.Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

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British Airways was actually the airline that first pioneered crew uniforms after an early version of the company gave them to employees in 1922.

Lieutenant Ellen E. Church was the "world's original airline stewardess" when she was hired by United in 1930.Bettmann/Getty Images

After years of dull and ordinary uniforms, the airline eventually spruced up its look with a number of stylish collections in the following decades.

Flight attendant uniforms from 1945 (left) and the 1960s (right).Hulton Archive/Getty Images, British Airways

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This includes adding more high-fashion garments, like striped skirts and dresses, wool jackets, and flared trousers. The 1960s also saw the airline add red to its uniforms.

Each crew member pictured is sporting the uniform they were wearing then they flew the Queen.British Airways

This includes adding more high-fashion garments, like striped skirts and dresses, wool jackets, and flared trousers. The 1960s also saw the airline add red to its uniforms.

There were several failed designs, however — particularly the airline's iconic "paper dress" in 1967, as well as one specifically created for the supersonic Concord in 1976.

PA Images via Getty Images, -/Central Press/AFP via Getty Images

There were several failed designs, however — particularly the airline's iconic "paper dress" in 1967, as well as one specifically created for the supersonic Concord in 1976.

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Flight attendants from places like Japan and India could also wear cultural dresses from their home countries.

British Airways unveiled new cabin crew uniforms for its South Asian routes in 2016.Christophe ArchambaultAFP via Getty Images

Designer Julien MacDonald eventually created the 2003 look, but the airline's newly unveiled uniforms are more diverse and are intended to represent the "next chapter" of British Airways.

British Airways staff modelling uniforms from the past 90 years at a Johannesburg fashion show in 2012, with Georgia May Jagger in the front center.Rebecca Hearfield/Gallo Images/Getty Images

Designer Julien MacDonald eventually created the 2003 look, but the airline's newly unveiled uniforms are more diverse and are intended to represent the "next chapter" of British Airways.

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The move comes as airlines worldwide create more inclusive uniforms, like Virgin Atlantic Airways and Alaska Airlines allowing some employees to wear non-gender-specific clothes.

Courtesy of Virgin Atlantic

The move comes as airlines worldwide create more inclusive uniforms, like Virgin Atlantic Airways and Alaska Airlines allowing some employees to wear non-gender-specific clothes.

Other carriers like Iceland-based Play and Ukrainian airline SkyUp now allow its female flight attendants to ditch the heels and wear sneakers instead.

New SkyUp flight attendant uniforms.SkyUp

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