British Airways (BA) has taken a significant step towards elevating its brand image by launching a captivating new uniform for its staff, starting with the operational ground teams, which comprise over 5,000 staff in the airline’s engineering, maintenance, and airport operations departments.
Ozwald Boateng is the Designer
The uniform, designed by acclaimed British-Ghanaian fashion designer Ozwald Boateng OBE, will be worn by more than 30,000 British Airways staff across various departments later this year as the next stage of the rollout will include British Airways’ cabin crew, pilots and customer-facing colleagues in September this year.
This carefully crafted collection boasts over 20 unique garments, providing colleagues with an unprecedented range of choices. Notable additions include a cutting-edge quilted jacket featuring a bespoke airwave print and a signature motif throughout the collection. The jacket’s fleece lining and showerproof design ensure that colleagues remain warm and dry during their duties. Practicality has been a key focus, with additional tool pockets, detachable tool belts, and touchscreen technology-enabled gloves.
The Uniform Has Gone Through Several Stages of Testing & Approval
The development of this great uniform has been a collaborative effort spanning five years, with the input of over 1,500 BA colleagues. Through workshops, design feedback, and prototype trials, employees had a hand in shaping iconic British designs.
Stringent testing measures were implemented to guarantee the durability and practicality of the garments. Secret trials involved subjecting the uniforms to deluge showers and freezing temperatures of -18 degrees Celsius to assess their water resistance and longevity.
British Airways Chief Operating Officer, René de Groot, expressing his enthusiasm for the uniform, described it as a “step change” from the previous.
This uniform has been multiple years in the making, and colleagues are genuinely excited to wear the collection, which they’re calling a step change from the previous garments, offering much more practicality. I’m delighted that airport operations, cargo, engineering and maintenance colleagues across our airports and bases worldwide will be the first to transition into the new designs.
What Happens to the Old Uniforms?
As the airline’s operational ground teams take pride in wearing the new attire, they will return their current uniforms for donation to select charities or recycling.
British Airways is actively exploring various recycling options, including the creation of sustainable merchandise and contributions to the British Airways Heritage Centre. The airline reinforces its dedication to a greener future by emphasising recycling and minimising waste.
As British Airways’ teams proudly don their new uniforms, passengers can anticipate heightened professionalism and style while interacting with the airline’s dedicated staff.
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