Leading Fashion Designer Reportedly Redesigning Air India’s Cabin Crew Uniform

Air India’s cabin crew could be sporting a new look in the future as a report reveals that a leading Indian fashion designer is working on creating new styles for flight attendants. This could mean that the sarees donned by Air India’s female flight attendants will either be phased out or take a back seat significantly.

New uniform

Manish Malhotra, a leading fashion designer in India, is reportedly designing the new uniform for Air India’s cabin crew. According to Hindustan Times (HT), Air India might trade the traditional saree of its female flight attendants with a different attire. The new uniforms could be expected as soon as November.

While Malhotra is said to be tight-lipped due to a non-disclosure agreement, people aware of the matter have said that the churidars (traditional tight trousers worn with a long tunic) are in consideration, among other options. HT quotes the person as saying,

“Churidars will be one of the options for women and the male crew members will wear suits. The sarees will take a back seat. When I say this, I mean that they may be entirely taken away from the set of uniforms.”

These are just initial reports, as Air India will likely keep things tightly wrapped until what could likely be a big reveal in the coming months. Another person says that the sarees might still feature but in a different style, adding,

“Various options were given to the airline, which included ready to wear sarees that look like saree but are not draped like the traditional ones. However, they have not been finalised by the management.”

Evolution of Air India’s cabin crew uniform

Air India’s cabin crew uniform has a long history and has evolved significantly over the decades. Back in the 1940s, when the carrier transitioned from being Tata Airlines to a public limited company, Air India, its cabin crew sported a Western look with a skirt, jacket, and an angled cap. The sarees were actually part of a rebranding in the 1960s. The Times of India quotes Gail Chukerbuty, who was with Air India for several years, as saying,

“This was also when Air India began advertising India as a tourist destination with stunning posters that often featured air hostesses. The saris were part of its branding.”

Over the years, Air India’s female cabin crew members have also worn ghagra choli (traditional Indian style skirt and blouse) in the 1970s and salwar-kameez (light pleated pants with a long tunic) in the 1990s. In fact, the salwar-kameez was so comfortable that many flight attendants opted for them instead of the sarees.

Contemporary styles

Most Indian airlines have stayed away from the saree. Some have adopted a Western look, like the dresses at IndiGo and SpiceJet, while others have gone for a more Indo-western approach, with aubergine-colored tunics and pants at Vistara. And some, like Akasa Air, have broken the norms with casual jeans and sneakers, keeping comfort the top priority.

A cabin crew uniform is part of an airline’s brand identity, so Air India is likely investing a lot of time and resources in a new look. It’ll be interesting to see what they come up with next.

What would Air India’s next cabin crew uniform look like? Please let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

Sources: Hindustan Times, The Times of India