Qantas, Australia’s national carrier, has announced a major uniform redesign. As part its ambitious plans for the future, this will be Qantas’ first uniform redesign in over a decade. The news comes as the carrier prepares to enter a new era of air travel with Project Sunrise and a historic fleet renewal program. With Qantas planning to debut the new design in 2027, the new uniform designer is being announced in the coming months.
Designer Selection and Employee Involvement
Preparations for this major sartorial endeavor are well under way. Qantas is engaging several Australian designers and will undertake a selection process for what will become the eleventh uniform in its history.
In addition to searching for a designer, Qantas is also surveying its uniformed workforce. The airline is enlisting more than 17,500 team members to assist in developing the new uniform. This approach ensures that the redesign represents the future of the national carrier while considering the needs and preferences of those who will wear it. In 2023, Qantas updated its uniform policies to be more inclusive and gender-neutral. The new regulations allowed female staff to forgo makeup and high heels. In this new chapter, Qantas seeking assistance from their staff suggests the airline will be prioritising employee comfort and practicality over aesthetic considerations.
A New Uniform and a New Vision
The announcement for a uniform redesign supports Qantas’ changing brand-image and renewed vision. One of the key drivers behind this transformation is Project Sunrise, Qantas’ ambitious plan to operate the world’s longest non-stop flights. Alongside this major development, the airline is also undergoing a historic fleet renewal program. 12 specifically modified Airbus A350-1000 aircraft have been ordered for the highly anticipated Project Sunrise services.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson emphasised the significance of this redesign, stating,
We have ambitious plans for the future and transforming the way we reflect the brand is critical to that. Our uniform represents the Qantas spirit all over the world. With a vast and growing international and domestic network, a historic fleet renewal program underway and the final frontier of global aviation just around the corner it’s time to define a new look for our people that reflects where we are heading.
Since our beginnings, the way we represent the brand has evolved significantly. While the uniform style may have changed, what hasn’t changed is the pride our people have in wearing it, which is why we are putting them at the core of the design process.
Do you think a uniform redesign is a good investment priority for Qantas? Let us know in the comments
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