British Airways Releases New Safety Video Featuring Its New Uniforms

British Airways has launched a “new” safety video, featuring its latest cabin crew uniforms. First released in January, the redesigned uniforms came after over two decades of the iconic shirts and took over five years of work. The new safety video is largely identical, with its star-studded cast, including Steven Bartlett, Emma Radacanu, Robert Peston, and many others.

Redo

Back in January, BA announced its new cabin crew uniforms designed by British fashion designer and tailor Ozwald Boateng OBE. For the first time, the airline began offering a jumpsuit for all crew, with further options for a tunic and hijab. The two classic uniforms for male and female crew consist of a three-piece suit and a dress, skirt, or trouser option.

The project was long-delayed and updates the carrier’s look for a modern era, with comfort taking an important step, along with recognizing gender identity and religious beliefs. Non-binary crew can wear the jumpsuit while any member can use make-up or the different uniform options, in line with several other airlines. However, the new uniform rollout means the carrier had to update its safety video as well, with the new one releasing this week.

The carrier has reused the previous video and added new footage of crew members donning the different varieties of the uniform, with the signature red necktie in focus. Safety videos have become a fun project in recent years, with carriers globally employing actors, sports teams, or unique concepts to get their message across. For reference, here’s also the original safety video from April.

Rollout still going

British Airways is slowly rolling out the uniforms across its divisions, from ground staff to customer-facing service teams globally. The process has been ongoing since January, with 30,000 set to don the new colors for the airline. Uniformity is key in such a process, and spacing the rollout ensures no division is left incomplete, especially for cabin crew.

In a statement describing the new design, Ozwald Boateng OBE noted,

“Designing this uniform was a vast and painstaking undertaking and it went far beyond clothes. It was about creating an energetic shift internally. One of my main objectives was to create something that spoke to, and for, the airline’s colleagues. Something that inspired and empowered them, encouraged them to conduct their roles with pride and most importantly to ensure that they felt seen and heard. Although the airline has a strong heritage, it was imperative to support in creating a fresh narrative of change and transcendence, while remaining timeliness.”

Every part of the airline will see new uniforms, from crew to maintenance, in a bid to shake up the usual order. The process was also painstaking, with six months of secret trials to test them on the ground and in the air, along with weather tests for endurance and suitability. Indeed, the uniforms seem to have had as much testing as an aircraft!

What do you think about British Airways’ new crew uniforms? Have you seen them in person yet? Let us know in the comments!