Air India may introduce new uniforms designed by Manish Malhotra after 60 years of sarees: report

Air India's fresh look will debut after the arrival of the new Airbus A350 aircraft. (Air India/Instagram)

According to a report by the Hindustan Times, Air India might be changing the uniforms for their female cabin crew. For 60 years, the airline’s flight attendants have worn sarees. But, by November, this might change and a more contemporary attire may be introduced.

The new wardrobe will include churidars for females and suits for the male attendants. The uniform will be created by ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra, according to HT. He declined to comment on the same due to a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

“Churidars will be one of the options for women and the male crew members will wear suits,” an unidentified official told HT. “The sarees will take a back seat. When I say this, I mean that they may be entirely taken away from the set of uniforms.”

#ThisDayThatYear
On 18 April 1971 Air India received delivery of its first #Boeing747.
And we had this most elegant line-up at BOM airport to welcome her. Our ladies carried their uniform sarees with so much of poise & grace which is unmatched in the history of civil aviation!pic.twitter.com/6MHPhSDj56

— April 18, 2020

“Various options were given to the airline, which included ready to wear sarees that look like saree but are not draped like the traditional ones. However, they have not been finalised by the management,” a second official claimed.

The new uniforms will reportedly be in the shades of deep red, aubergine and gold, echoing Air India. Furthermore, Vistara might also adopt the same uniforms after the merger.

According to Air India’s CEO and Managing Director, Campbell Wilson, the airline’s fresh look will debut after the arrival of the new Airbus A350 aircraft. That is expected to happen in October or November.

However, Air India has not made an official announcement on the matter as yet.

Air India’s female cabin crew was recognised and known for wearing sarees. The tradition dates back to 1962, when JRD Tata decided to replace the skirt, jacket and hat with the six yards and some other options.

The first sarees were sourced from Binny Mills and till today, Air India’s flight attendants can choose between an iconic saree or tunic and pants in the same colour.