United has just revealed the details of their new employee uniforms, which they’ll begin testing shortly.
The importance of airline uniforms
As customers, employee uniforms shouldn’t matter to us. At least not directly. The way I see it, what’s important in airline uniforms is that:
- They make employees take pride in their appearance; it’s nice to look presentable, so if uniform design can help with that, it’s all for the better
- They allow employees to be comfortable; uniforms can’t just be about style, but also need to be about comfort, especially given the conditions in which airline employees often work
- They need to be safe to wear, as this has been an issue some airlines have had, where people have allergic reactions (or worse) to uniforms
We’ve seen several airlines screw up uniforms. For example, Alitalia recently had to introduce new uniforms for a second time in a short period, because the original new uniforms weren’t practical enough.
Meanwhile American’s uniforms have caused thousands of complaints among employees, and has caused some employees to break out in hives, so the airline is changing vendors.
A look at United’s new uniforms
Last year United announced that they’d be rolling out new employee uniforms, thanks to new partnerships with Tracy Reese, Brooks Brothers, and Carhartt.
Once tested and tweaked, the uniforms will eventually be worn by United’s more than 70,000 employees. Here’s how United describes their aim with these new uniforms:
Focusing on high quality fabrics, improved breathability and overall enhanced fit, our goal is to design and develop a more cohesive collection that looks good, feels good and enables employees to perform at their best on behalf of our customers.
They’ll be initially testing these uniforms on over 1,300 pilots, flight attendants, and customer service representatives, with a focus on getting feedback on the fit and function of each garment. For now those testing the new uniforms won’t have the new colors, so that the focus remains on functionality.
United Airlines has now shared images of what the new uniform will look like for now, though notes that these aren’t a full representation of the final uniform program, as they’ll continue to refine designs based on feedback.
The new uniforms will all have a base color, which they call “Rhapsody Blue,” to ensure that all groups look like one team.
United says that employees and unions were an integral part in the new design creation, which includes 17,000 survey responses and 35 in-person focus groups.
So, let’s take a look at the new uniforms. Here are the new pilot uniforms:
And the new flight attendant uniforms:
And the new customer service uniforms:
And the new tech operations uniforms:
And the new ramp service uniforms:
And the new catering operations uniforms:
And just for good measure, the new customer service “aloha wear:”
What do you make of United Airlines’ new employee uniforms?
The new pilot uniforms looks fine except all the gold is gone. It now looks like a mixture of Star Trek and Spirit Airlines uniforms. Why waste money on this when most of UALs current employees love the current uniform.
I completely agree. When I worked at TWA as an F/A, I hated our multi-colored clown uniforms we had to suffer wearing. And then someone had an epiphany moment, contracted with Ralph Lauren and the rest is history.
We had both a summer, light weight uniform as well as an all wool winter uniform; I can tell you that was a welcomed change for the better, both in sharp, professional looks as well as...
I completely agree. When I worked at TWA as an F/A, I hated our multi-colored clown uniforms we had to suffer wearing. And then someone had an epiphany moment, contracted with Ralph Lauren and the rest is history.
We had both a summer, light weight uniform as well as an all wool winter uniform; I can tell you that was a welcomed change for the better, both in sharp, professional looks as well as practical functionality with the seasonal changes.
Dear UAL, et al, please read my message and then do the responsible thing: Dress your F/A’s for a sharp, professional look. We all know it’s a clown show on flights, but at least make your crew look and feel professional. Please! ♀️
As a flight attendant, we agree! Our current uniforms are beautiful. They are classy, sleek, slimming and easy to wash. This idea of new uniforms by this horrible designer is just hideous! What a total waste! Just another case of management shoveling the S"+% down. We love our current uniforms! Give us a new shirt or something, but to go and change the entire uniform? If we had an Italian designer, that may be a...
As a flight attendant, we agree! Our current uniforms are beautiful. They are classy, sleek, slimming and easy to wash. This idea of new uniforms by this horrible designer is just hideous! What a total waste! Just another case of management shoveling the S"+% down. We love our current uniforms! Give us a new shirt or something, but to go and change the entire uniform? If we had an Italian designer, that may be a different story, but this garbage is a total JOKE! WE need to have as many customers right in as possible. PLEASE! They do not listen to us!
Ben United flight attendants have had nothing to do with the design of this new uniform we HATE it and have been asking company to get a new designer and start over for over two years now we will be embarrassed to wear this, no one is listening to us I wish you could send these comments to upper management and the designer THEY chose the uniform it is so unprofessional and cheap and not cohesive with our daily job functions Looks like it came from second hand store
United already had the best uniforms in the Industry, professional and still stylish. These new ones are hideous and I feel especially sorry for the flight attendants.
gag me!! saw the grey coat in person. it is felt material, like the stuff you but at a craft store!! All very cheap. Hideous.
Ugly colors. Just bad.
Do you want fries with that?
Waste of capital and they ignore branding. Many of the uniform pieces look terrible. Purple is a terrible base color.
What matters most is who is wearing it!
Forget the cloths or uniform they wear.
ALL employees on the flight must be/should be (actually!) required to wear a name tag or badge ALWAYS """fully""" visible to the passenger(s), without the need of eyeglasses to read the name !!!!!!.
Not a name tag that can flop over or BE flopped over so no one knows their name; OR to change out of one "wear": into another like a service apron with no...
Forget the cloths or uniform they wear.
ALL employees on the flight must be/should be (actually!) required to wear a name tag or badge ALWAYS """fully""" visible to the passenger(s), without the need of eyeglasses to read the name !!!!!!.
Not a name tag that can flop over or BE flopped over so no one knows their name; OR to change out of one "wear": into another like a service apron with no name tag clearly visible to the passengers being served.
Perhaps United's service would improve (even in First Class) if they knew we knew (or could see) their name!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No offense NJ Traveler,
But in all the time I worked at TWA, I never once wore my name badge. I decided if someone wanted to write me an orchid letter for my file, they’d ask me for my name. Conversely for the opposite as well, and I’d gladly give it to either of them. More than likely you have no idea just how many times a female (or maybe used to) got hit...
No offense NJ Traveler,
But in all the time I worked at TWA, I never once wore my name badge. I decided if someone wanted to write me an orchid letter for my file, they’d ask me for my name. Conversely for the opposite as well, and I’d gladly give it to either of them. More than likely you have no idea just how many times a female (or maybe used to) got hit on during a flight. As such, I found it much more diplomatic to accept the ‘business card’, smile and thank them than for these dudes to actually know my name. Thanks for your understanding.
Signed,
A seasoned, former flight attendant.
The problem with United has never been the uniforms, rather, the pissy/not my job attitude of those wearing said uniforms. Until they fix that, you're just putting lipstick on a pig
Branding has never been a priority for Continental.
Bring back Pentagram to handle the marketing. Pentagram had an eye and had the skill. Sadly, Pentagram's efforts would probably be wasted on the joke of an airline that United is. Pentagram would most likely refuse any type of business with the current United.
How tf do people get paid to create these atrocities? In the words of Dear Leader: YOU'RE FIRED.
Horrible. Stick with the blue.
Nice uniforms, EXCEPT the flight attendants. They should save the money effort and just buy Air Canada flight attendants' uniforms. Lufthansa looks a little better but Canada is close to the US so supply might be easier.
Why not just have a North American Star Alliance flight attendant uniform, which would be AC? Few would notice the copy cat behavior.
I like the additional splash of color on the cabin crew uniforms.
Does management have to wear these uniforms? They should so they can be in on the joke too.
Everyone should wear the "Aloha" one.
Lots of colors
I like the CS uniforms. I think the blue will lessen the blow when they shout at their customers.
Why is United trying to win the contest for the ugliest uniforms? Or are they competing with the circus> Those poor flight attendants and agents. The customers won't be able to find the employees....I think United might want to go back to basic blue or black and use the colors for accent pieces! Be professional looking, so the customer will take them serious!!
Male and female pilots look the same.
But male flight attendants look like pilots, whereas female flight attendants look different.
When will airlines start to get a little more creative with the men’s wear and stop limiting it to a boring suit and tie? The most they have ever done outside of this is a mediocre sweater vest. It is not just about esthetics- I cannot imagin that a rigid suit jacket is the most appropriate wear when dealing with emergencies.
Major fail and complete waste of money/effort. The color scheme is completely misaligned with branding, and is creating a mess. Who thought this was a good idea?
Guessing the ‘woke’ CEO? ♀️♀️
Looks 70s ..not attractive what so ever..Why can't the Airlines stay with the polished professional look?
> colors don’t support brand imaging
They will when they re-do the livery and other branding elements in dire need of an update.
OMG... The Delta uniforms are no longer the worst.
Why is the female FA the only one on a dress / skirt ?
Female ground staff gets a scarf. Hope that just pulls off if someone grabs it
These are the same uniform photos leaked to the employees last summer. When the employees protested vehemently, they were told.... “Nooooo- that is not what we are spending all this money on, but shhhhh... it’s a big secret.“
Reminiscent of Star Trek, Sea World Trainers and the Capt of the Love Boat....
the United employees are losing their collective minds tonight. Keep in mind, the pics put out are only a few of...
These are the same uniform photos leaked to the employees last summer. When the employees protested vehemently, they were told.... “Nooooo- that is not what we are spending all this money on, but shhhhh... it’s a big secret.“
Reminiscent of Star Trek, Sea World Trainers and the Capt of the Love Boat....
the United employees are losing their collective minds tonight. Keep in mind, the pics put out are only a few of the pieces shown to employees. The rest are doozies! They are not attractive, professional or classic in design or color.
Instead of being an industry leader, United has copied other failed airline uniforms.
Embarrassing! Outrageous! Dated! I thought this was a joke! Unflattering and cheap looking. Especially the flight attendants! What is wrong with the classy and flattering uniforms they have currently? Maybe add a beautiful blouse option or cute jacket. Even a fun and trendy black skirt with a hidden purple klickpleat if you want flare. But really? This is a joke!
I hope you’ll address this to your new ‘woke’ CEO of UAL. :(
So the customer facing staff will wear a mix of hint-of-purple and hint-of-aqua blue. Where the heck is the consistency in that? The average customer may think that they are dealing with two different airlines.
Are all flight attendants to wear that dress? I don't think all of them can. In the past weren't there alternatives for the larger folk to wear a different outfit (than a tight dress)? I think so. But, this will...
So the customer facing staff will wear a mix of hint-of-purple and hint-of-aqua blue. Where the heck is the consistency in that? The average customer may think that they are dealing with two different airlines.
Are all flight attendants to wear that dress? I don't think all of them can. In the past weren't there alternatives for the larger folk to wear a different outfit (than a tight dress)? I think so. But, this will just give UA passengers a reason to laugh. And God knows we need a good chuckle at United.
Already looks dated. Confusing mix of colors that don't signify United.
This is hideous.
- GS flyer who must stand this if adopted
Horrific.
The ugliest uniform I ever seen. Who ever designed them needs to get fired . And the sad part is united employees will have to wear them
Horrible... as are all of the U.S. carriers. A mixed bag of boring colors, with cuts and draping that appear as if right off the Topeka WalMart rack in 1989. This is what happens when you let employees and corporate committees guide the direction.
There is a reason European and Asian crews look so good. Those airlines let the designers actually design without "feedback" and demands from employees whose experience with garments was honed...
Horrible... as are all of the U.S. carriers. A mixed bag of boring colors, with cuts and draping that appear as if right off the Topeka WalMart rack in 1989. This is what happens when you let employees and corporate committees guide the direction.
There is a reason European and Asian crews look so good. Those airlines let the designers actually design without "feedback" and demands from employees whose experience with garments was honed at the local Men's Warehouse or Chicos.
U.S. airlines have come a long way down since the days of Pucci doing the uniforms for Braniff.
Mixed bag overall. The captains look good, the FAs...not so much.
The Customer service uniforms are giving me WestJet vibes.
Looks great.
What is it with all the purple in uniforms. I knew this would have purple before I even clicked thru
The employees hate them.
Wow. Did somebody raid Barney’s closet? Hideous
The uniform looks Alaska to me.
It's 2019 and they still require female flight attendants and gate agents to wear stilleto pumps? Those poor women have to stand on their feet, push heavy carts and possibly save lives. How about some decent footwear for them?
What's up with the purple in the uniforms lately? First Delta and now United, I guess American is gonna follow the trend soon?
The male FA uniform looks like the doorman at my Grandmother’s NY high rise. And the female FA uniform is boring but better than Delta or Southwest.
It's way about time to get rid of ties, mostly uncomfortable and tends to move around.
I’m a fan. I like the purple, there are only so many shades of blue. If they’re going to evolve the product and brand they have to do something different. Also their new premium plus seats have purple accents so this plays into it. The purple complements the blue so they can evolve the livery without a complete overhaul. It’s time.
Far from original, borrowing heavily from Qantas and Delta (and some leftovers from Aer Lingus presumably went into the design of the customer service uniforms) but a significant improvement over what they have now.
Overall not good. Color scheme for FAs is confusing.
Alaska??
Seems to me there may be a major branding update coming soon, as well.
Horrible.
Unimaginative.
Boring.
@Jack: I had the same sentiment regarding Emirates.
I’d add #4: make employees recognizable to customers. Although I would recognize these people as airline employees, I’m not sure I would recognize any of them as United employees. With the current uniforms it’s easy to recognize United’s blue.
My most exotic experience was on SQ and I gotta say those gowns enhance the onboard feel
Why don't all airlines just copy Singapore Airlines' uniforms? Uhh...nevermind, forgot...fat people.
Is the purple color passport plum?
A cross between Southwest and Delta. Some look good, others ehh.
colors don't support brand imaging
The colors of United's new FA unis remind me of the old [defunct in 1991] Eastern Air Lines.
I like most of them, especially the pilot and female FA ones, but the male FA one looks weird to me. It looks way too slim to me, and there appears to be a weird design on the shoulders of the suit. Not a fan.
#yawn