Air India unveils new uniforms for cabin, cockpit crew

Mumbai: Private carrier Air India on Tuesday unveiled its new collection of uniforms, designed by Manish Malhotra, for its cabin and cockpit crew.

The new uniforms will be introduced in a phased manner over the next few months, starting with the entry of service of Air India’s first Airbus A350 aircraft, the company said in a statement.

The new uniforms will be introduced in a phased manner over the next few months, debuting with the entry of service of Air India’s first Airbus A350.

“Air India’s crew uniforms are amongst the world’s most storied in aviation history, and we firmly believe that Manish Malhotra’s innovative ensemble will script an exciting new chapter for Air India’s future narrative,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Air India.

The female cabin crew uniform features ready-to-wear ombre saree with intricate jharokha patterns and the Vista (new Air India logo icon), paired with a blouse and blazer. Neo-traditional, we say.

The ready-to-wear sarees can be optionally worn with comfortable pants. The airline, in the press release, said that the move is to provide greater flexibility for female cabin crew to choose the style they most identify with and bring a unique East-meets-West look.

The ombre sarees for the senior female cabin crew will be aubergine-to-burgundy, combined with aubergine blazers. Junior female cabin crew will wear vibrant red-to-purple sarees combined with red blazers.

The cockpit crew’s uniform, on the other hand, features a classic black double-breasted suit with a print inspired by the Vista.

Manish Malhotra said he aimed to create uniforms that capture the essence of India’s diverse culture and traditions while also embodying a modern and sophisticated look.

“I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to design the uniforms for Air India. It is a privilege to be able to contribute to the national flag-bearer and showcase the elegance and charm of Indian fashion. My aim was to create uniforms that capture the essence of India’s diverse culture and traditions while also embodying a modern and sophisticated look,” the designer said.

“Air India’s crew uniforms are among the world’s most storied in aviation history, and we firmly believe that Manish Malhotra’s innovative ensemble will script an exciting new chapter for Air India’s future narrative. It perfectly captures the essence of our new identity, service principles, and our pursuit of setting new benchmarks in global aviation,” Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Air India, said.

The designer has also curated footwear to go with the uniforms. While women will wear dual-tone (black and burgundy) block heels, the male cabin crew will wear comfortable black brogues. The uniforms include pearl earrings and sling bags for female cabin crew.

Manish Malhotra has also designed uniforms for Air India’s ground staff, engineers, and security personnel. They are yet to be unveiled