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26 Airlines With The Best Cabin Crew Uniforms

26 Airlines With The Best Cabin Crew Uniforms
China Southern Airlines © China Southern Airlines

Airlines, these days, release new uniforms for their cabin crews, to much pomp and ceremony. In a bid to outshine each other, fashion designers are called in to create new looks,  new identities, to go along with the airlines' brands. Unlike uniforms in the 70s-80s, Today’s travel atmosphere is more about inspiring trust and calm than it is about giving people a thrill. According to Smithsonianmag. com, nowadays cabin crews would not feel comfortable wearing short skirts or hot pants. Uniforms have become more professional and more like business outfits. 

The addition of male flight attendants to the field, and the focus on comfort and safety, led to a less distracting and more gender-neutral look. Distinguishing cultural identity markers tend to be integrated more subtly.

We've compiled 26 best cabin crew uniforms from airlines worldwide.

  • Air France (France)

Air France's uniforms have long been considered to be the most stylish in the skies. The current ones in use were designed by French designer Christian Lacroix.

Image by Jeff Cayton/pinterest
Image by Jeff Cayton/pinterest

 

  • Hainan Airlines (China)

Hainan Airlines' uniforms were designed by Laurence Xu and features traditional Chinese imagery while maintaining a modern style. They even made their debut during Paris Couture Week!

Image by thepointsguy.com
Image by thepointsguy.com

 

  • Etihad Airways (UAE)

Crafted by Italian couturier, Ettore Bilotta, Etihad Airways' uniforms combine 1960s Paris couture with runway looks from London and New York.

Image by confessionoftrolleydolly.com
Image by confessionoftrolleydolly.com

 

  • Qantas (Australia)

Qantas' uniforms were designed by Martin Grant, one of Australia's most acclaimed fashion designers. They were even modelled by supermodel, Miranda Kerr.

Image by Qantas
Image by Qantas

 

  • Singapore Airlines (Singapore)

Singapore Airlines has been donning the same uniform since 1968! They are considered to be the "longest serving uniform" in the skies.

Image by Singapore airlines
Image by Singapore airlines

 

  • Korean Air

Korean Air uniforms were crafted by Italian designer, Gianfranco Ferré. The women also don hairpins that are meant to represent the "binyeo", a traditional Korean hair accessory.

Image by Korean Air
Image by Korean Air
Image by Korean Air
Image by Korean Air

 

  • China Airlines (Taiwan)

Designed by Oscar-nominated costume designer William Chang, China Airlines' uniform are a fusion of a traditional Mandarin gown and modern Western fashion. They have often been described as "futuristic".

image by Asian Fusion
image by Asian Fusion

 

  • Emirates (UAE)

Emirates' uniform has remained largely unchanged since 1997, with only a few modifications in 2008. It was designed by UK-based manufacturer, Simon Jersey.

Image by Emirates
Image by Emirates

 

  • American Airlines (US)

American Airlines recently redesigned their uniforms in conjunction with their re-branding. This is the first change they've had in 30 years.

Image by American Airlines
Image by American Airlines
Image by The Forward Cabin
Image by The Forward Cabin

 

  • Air Malta (Malta)

Air Malta is one of the smallest airlines in the world, but is yet considered to have one of the most stylish uniforms. Their colourful scarves and ties are meant to reflect the liveliness of the Maldives Islands.

Image by Air Malta
Image by Air Malta

 

  • Hongkong Airlines (Hongkong)

Hong Kong Airlines new uniforms feature the women in skirts, after a long history of them wearing dresses. They were fit for purpose, comfort and style.

Image by Hongkong Airlines
Image by Hongkong Airlines

 

  • Air India (India)

The men on Air India wear contemporary suits while the women have a choice of wearing either yellow saris and kurtas or a more formal long-sleeved black ensemble.

Image by mid-day.com
Image by mid-day.com

 

Image by Air India
Image by Air India

 

  • Thai Airways (Thailand)

Thai Airways' slogan, "Smooth as silk", well describes their unique purple uniforms. The women are also required to wear a fresh purple flower on their lapel.

Image by Thai Airways
Image by Thai Airways
Image by Thai Airways
Image by Thai Airways

 

  • Fiji Airways (Fiji)

Fiji Airways was styled by Alexandra Poenaru-Philp, who was selected from a pool of Fiji based designers. The motifs on the material were created by Fijian artist, Makereta Matemosi.

Image by Fiji Airways
Image by Fiji Airways

 

  • Qatar Airways (Qatar)

Qatar Airways' uniform was designed by Olino and is one of the most recognisable uniforms in the world. The crew also has a "grooming officer" who ensures the crew look in perfect shape.

Image by Qatar Airways
Image by Qatar Airways

 

  • Alitalia (Italy)

Alitalia's style is designed by Milanese designer, Ettore Bilotta. It was inspired by 50s and 60s Italian fashion.

Image by The Design Air
Image by The Design Air

 

  • Japan Airlines (Japan)

Japan Airlines' uniforms were designed to match the carrier's livery.

image by JAL
image by JAL

 

  • Hawaiian Airlines (US)

Hawaii Airlines is known for its unique cape, donned with traditional Hawaiian motifs. Some employees even say the capes make them feel like Beyoncé.

Image by Hawaiian Airlines
Image by Hawaiian Airlines

 

  • China Eastern Airlines (China)

China Eastern Airlines' uniforms were designed by Christian Lacroix to be "simple, beautiful and dignified". They are a fusion of an elegant oriental style and Shanghai style fashion.

Image by China Eastern Airlines
Image by China Eastern Airlines

 

  • Garuda Indonesia (Indonesia)

Garuda Indonesia's uniform was designed by a team of experts in fashion design. They even had a former staff member provide input on how practical the design should be.

Image by Garuda Indonesia
Image by Garuda Indonesia

 

Image by Garuda Indonesia
Image by Garuda Indonesia

 

  • La Compagnie (France)

La Compagnie was styled by the French fashion house, Vicomte A. They were made to look less like corporate attire and more like the kind of suits you'd see in classy bars across the world. The women even have the option to wear shorts!

Image by La Compagnie
Image by La Compagnie

 

  • Malaysia Airlines (Malaysia)
Image by Malaysia Airlines
Image by Malaysia Airlines
Image by Malaysia Airines
Image by Malaysia Airines

The Malaysia Airlines kebaya the women wear has been an iconic symbol of the carrier for decades. The uniform was due for a redesign by fashion brand Farah Khan as announced by the airlines in 2016.

 

  • Gulf Air (Bahrain)

Gulf Air's uniforms were designed by Pierre Balman. Their uniforms have a history embracing French haute couture fashions, even with their uniforms in the 50s.

Image by Gulf Air
Image by Gulf Air
Image by Pinterest
Image by Pinterest

 

  • Vietnam Airlines (Vietnam)
Image by Vietnam Airlnes
Image by Vietnam Airlnes

 

Image by The Design Air
Image by The Design Air

 

  • Srilankan Airlines (Srilanka)

Women in the cabin crew wear the country's national costume, the osariya, while the men wear western black suits. The design of the osariya is based on the pattern of a peacock.

Image by Colombo Telegraph
Image by Colombo Telegraph

 

- Virgin Australia (Australia)

Image by Virgin Australia
Image by Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia's uniform was designed by fashion designer and Project Runway winner Juli Grbac. The whole process of creating the uniform, from the sketching to the actual sewing, took just seven months; much faster than most other airline.

So, which one is your favourite?

 

Source : Smithsonianmag.com | Says.com | The Design Air 

Akhyari Hananto

I began my career in the banking industry in 1997, and stayed approx 6 years in it. This industry boost his knowledge about the economic condition in Indonesia, both macro and micro, and how to More understand it. My banking career continued in Yogyakarta when I joined in a program funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB),as the coordinator for a program aimed to help improve the quality of learning and teaching process in private universities in Yogyakarta. When the earthquake stroke Yogyakarta, I chose to join an international NGO working in the area of ?disaster response and management, which allows me to help rebuild the city, as well as other disaster-stricken area in Indonesia. I went on to become the coordinator for emergency response in the Asia Pacific region. Then I was assigned for 1 year in Cambodia, as a country coordinator mostly to deliver developmental programs (water and sanitation, education, livelihood). In 2009, he continued his career as a protocol and HR officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya, and two years later I joined the Political and Economic Section until now, where i have to deal with extensive range of people and government officials, as well as private and government institution troughout eastern Indonesia. I am the founder and Editor-in-Chief in Good News From Indonesia (GNFI), a growing and influential social media movement, and was selected as one of The Most Influential Netizen 2011 by The Marketeers magazine. I also wrote a book on "Fundamentals of Disaster Management in 2007"?, "Good News From Indonesia : Beragam Prestasi Anak Bangsa di dunia"? which was luanched in August 2013, and "Indonesia Bersyukur"? which is launched in Sept 2013. In 2014, 3 books were released in which i was one of the writer; "Indonesia Pelangi Dunia"?, "Indonesia The Untold Stories"? and "Growing! Meretas Jalan Kejayaan" I give lectures to students in lectures nationwide, sharing on full range of issues, from economy, to diplomacy Less
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