British Airways has unveiled new uniforms for its staff, the first clothing overhaul at the global carrier in two decades.
Female cabin crew will be able to opt to wear a tunic and hijab, as well as a jumpsuit in what the company described as "an airline first".
There's a tailored three-piece suit for men, as well as dress, skirt and trouser options for women who do not want to wear a jumpsuit. British Airways decided not to allow male pilots and crew to wear skirts, in contrast with rival airline Virgin Atlantic's gender-neutral uniform policy.
The uniforms were designed by British Savile Row tailor Ozwald Boateng, who spent time observing BA staff in their roles at the airline.
More than 1,500 British Airways workers gave their input during the design and testing of the collection over the last four years, with secret trials in the air and on the ground.
The airline’s engineers and ground operations agents will be first to wear the new uniform from the spring. All British Airways cabin crew, pilots and check-in agents will switch over from their current uniform to the new one by summer this year.
How British Airways uniforms have changed - in pictures
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A cabin crew member stands under the nose of a BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation, which would eventually become British Airways) jet in 1946. Getty Images -
Jamaican flight attendants at Heathrow Airport in 1965. Getty Images -
British Airways air hostesses in 1975. Getty Images -
Models display the various styles of new uniform in 1977. Getty Images -
A British Airways cabin crew member in 1988. Getty Images -
Models Imogen Waterhouse and Lizzy Jagger take part in a British Airways fashion shoot in Hong Kong in 2016. Getty Images -
A British Airways heritage uniform fashion show during Milan Fashion Week in 2017. Getty Images -
British Airways cabin crew pose in their uniforms in 2018. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth II meets BA cabin crew in 2019. Getty Images -
British Airways staff at Heathrow Airport in 2019. Getty Images -
The new British Airways uniform, the first in nearly 20 years, is unveiled in January 2023. PA
Sean Doyle, chairman and chief executive of British Airways, said the uniform was a key representation of the brand and "something that will carry us into our future, representing the very best of modern Britain".
"From the very start this has been about our people," he said.
"We wanted to create a uniform collection that our people are proud to wear and with the help of over 1,500 colleagues, we are confident that we have delivered this.”
During the uniform trials, BA staff were able to give feedback on the practicability of the garments, which resulted in amendments being made before the final unveiling. For example, ground handlers asked for touch-screen technology fabric in their gloves so they can use their devices in cold climates without having to take them off.
Cabin crew member Emma Carey, who participated in the trials, said: "It's been a real honour and responsibility to help test the new uniform and put it through its paces at 35,000 feet to make sure it's fit for purpose, with thousands of my colleagues counting on me. It was great to see that adjustments were made after our feedback. The pockets on the apron, for example, were widened after the trial so we had more room for everything we need during meal services on board."
As staff pick up their new uniforms later this year, they will hand in their existing ones, which were designed by the Welsh fashion designer Julien MacDonald in 2002.
The old uniforms will be recycled to make various items, from toys to iPad holders. Some uniforms will be given to charity, while other items will be donated to the British Airways museum.
Decades of flight with British Airways - in pictures
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British Airways has been flying for over 100 years. It was founded as Aircraft Transport and Travel Limited in 1919. All photos: Getty Images -
A British Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft taking off in 2021 -
British Airways employees welcome Olympians returning from the Tokyo Olympics at Heathrow Airport in August 2021 -
A British Airways Boeing 747-400 aircraft arrives at St Athan Airport in Wales in 2020, after setting off for its last flight -
A British Union flag flies from the cockpit of a new Airbus A380 aircraft after landing at Heathrow Airport in 2013 -
Spectators watch as the last Concorde lands at Heathrow Airport in 2003 -
British Airways Concordes at Glasgow Airport in 1983 -
David Nicholson, the first chairman of British Airways after the merger of a number of UK airlines, proudly displays a model of the Concorde in 1973 -
The first Boeing 747 to be operated by the British Overseas Airways Corporation arrives at Heathrow Airport in May 1970 -
Hawker Siddeley HS 121 Trident 1C medium-range commercial jets for British European Airways at de Havillands Hatfield Aerodrome in 1963 -
A British Overseas Airways Corporation Comet III aircraft on display at Farnborough in 1954. The British Overseas Airways Corporation was formed in April 1940 -
Passengers queuing to board a British European Airways Vickers Viking aircraft in 1950 -
The British Overseas Airways Corporation Short Solent passenger flying boat docks at her new berth near Tower Bridge in London in 1949 -
A British Overseas Airways Corporation air stewardess brings a tray of coffee to passengers during a Second World War flight in 1945 -
A British Airways passenger aircraft at Gatwick Airport in 1936 -
Four Handley Page W10 and one Handley Page W9 Hampstead aircraft operated by Imperial Airways are christened by Lady Maud Hoare, Viscountess Templewood, at Croydon Aerodrome in 1926. Imperial Airways was created in 1924
