American Airlines launches their new uniform with about 50,000 employees putting on their new attire today. This comes after the new 2016 Twin Hill uniforms led to thousands of complaints about irritation and worse from another manufacturer.
As a result of these issues American’s employees have been allowed to use a makeshift combination of old uniforms, including old US Airways uniforms and some off the shelf options. This will be the first time, hopefully, that all legacy American Airlines and US Airways employees all have the same look and keep it.
The new uniforms come from Land’s End, the same manufacturer that Delta is currently having problems with, but American is confident that the new clothing’s OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification means there shouldn’t be any issues.
I don’t think these look bad, but they seem fairly unambitious. They blend in, rather than standing out. I’d prefer if they had gone with a ‘real’ designer rather than just contracting Land’s End.
American Airlines Crew In New Uniforms
American is promoting the hash tag #AANewBlue amongst employees to show off their uniforms starting today. They’ve also been educating employees about uniform standards for the last month.
This consisted of 35 minute online uniform training (that combined with videos to make flight attendants comfortable with the expected return of the Boeing 737 MAX). The message to flight attendants is that they’re going to prioritize making sure uniforms are worn as instructed, to the point of specifying when the winter coat can be worn and when they can roll up their sleeves.
Here’s the Flight Service uniform standards guide. In addition to detailing how the uniform should be worn it also reinforces behavioral rules such as:
- Crewmembers “may not purchase or consume alcoholic beverages, gamble, or sit ata bar, including for the purpose of consuming food.”
- In addition they aren’t supposed to use “cellphones, smart watches, headphones, etc.” while “onboard the aircraft with customers”
- They cannot sit on baggage belts or electric carts, and avoid chewing gum in customer view
The female dress may not be more than 1 inch above or below “the crease at the back of the knee.” The ‘all season coat’ may only be worn “during extreme cold or inclement weather while outside the terminal in the elements.” I think that makes the coat not ‘all season’. And who is wearing a vest with no shirt underneath?
Some of the airline’s grooming standards surprise me. For instance, female nail polish has to be the same color on each nail (but no green, orange or yellow). No glitter or artwork on fingernails is permitted. If any nails chip then “all polish must be removed.”
While some rules seem strict, and others aren’t likely to be followed over time, it’s worth noting that American’s requirements are nowhere near as strict as those of Singapore Airliens.
If only this much thought and detail went into designing the domestic first class seats they wouldn’t have to be ripping those out and replacing them already.
This will surely fix their problems!
No One Cares.
At least when Alitalia collapses the flight attendants will look fantastic. At American the collapse will come and the FA’s will be dressed like hospital workers.
Those uniforms are horrid and boring. They actually paid someone to come up with this?
1. Land’s End (Sears) needs the money bad so I bet the price was right.
2. They look about like any generic airline uniform which I guess is OK but not really “Going for Great”
3. Most of us don’t care.
4. Some men would prefer the skirt height to be a bit shorter I’d guess.
5. Will the unions blame coronavirus outbreaks in the crews on this new uniform?
6. Thanks for sharing.
DaninMCI. Aka Snapperhead.
What do unions have to do with Coronavirus? Your response is that of an imbecile.
A few notes:
Lands End was spun off from Sears years ago
A simple – clean look is a vast improvement over what they had and the awful designer looks that some airlines have rolled out.
People find something to bitch about no matter what!!
Get a life!!
Flair, the uniform is missing flair!
Flying today. Shirts are hideous. I had to do a double take as I initially thought the FAs were passengers wearing the same ugly shirt.
Is there any possible way for you to please make it so that your entire articles open in feedly, instead of having to click multiple times to get to the website to read? Other blogs I follow all are able to do this, I was wondering if you can please try to do this as well as it makes it a lot more readable.
I really don’t care what the uniforms look like as long as who is wearing them has a smile on their face and is amicable
Hopefully these new unis are chemical free.
Are those real employees or just garden variety obese people they pulled off the street?
I think the new uniforms look fine, at least in the photos. The most exciting or stylish? No. Professional? Yes. Better than the current mishmash? For certain.
I am also glad to see the renewed focus on uniform standards. I frequently fly AA and have noticed how these standards have declined in the past year or so, partially as a function of all of the types of garments FAs are wearing. Men with unbuttoned shits, way loose ties, etc. Details matter; I think it’s refreshing to see AA focus on some details.
Really impressed that evidently the male and transgender attendants can wear their dresses and nails as they choose.