Not too long ago, airlines were rolling out new or updated designs for cabin crew. During normal times, flight attendants’ appearance and their uniforms were generally meant to portray a professional look. They represented the airline brand in front of passengers. However, we’re now living in very different times. Airlines are now clearly rethinking health and safety norms after Covid-19.
New Uniform Designs for Flight Attendants
A few airlines around the world are already rolling out guidelines and procedures for both passenger and employees alike. Airlines have already advised passengers to wear masks on board. Now, this latest report by CNN Travel sheds some light on what could be the near term future of what flight attendants may look like the next time you fly.
Qatar Airways is one of several airlines to introduce Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits for its cabin crew in light of the coronavirus pandemic. From now onwards, all flight attendants for Qatar’s flag carrier will wear a hazmat suit over their uniforms, along with safety goggles, gloves and a mask during flights.
Our cabin crew are now required to wear disposable full body personal protective equipment (PPE) over their uniforms, including safety goggles, gloves and a mask #TakingYouHomehttps://t.co/6LZ3YA4iK6 pic.twitter.com/VbIT2O6bOB
— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) May 18, 2020
We have further enhanced our onboard health & safety measures by introducing protective gear for cabin crew while onboard, as well as a modified service that reduces interactions between the passengers and the crew inflight. #TakingYouHomehttps://t.co/K3Y1qFEuW3 pic.twitter.com/DVkaGe2Zea
— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) May 18, 2020
However, Qatar Airways is not the only one who is doing this. The new Philippines Airlines and Air Asia uniforms embody elements of PPE. Philippines Airlines roped in designer Edwin Tan. He used hospital gowns as a starting points to design the new uniforms. Similarly, Puey Quinones, who designed AirAsia’s new uniform dubbed the protective gear as the new normal for the industry.
Wow — Philippine Airlines launch ‘The New Normal’ uniforms for cabin crew, who will now wear custom-designed PPE amid #COVID19 pandemic
"We used a non-porous material for the PPEs. A material with substantial weight to give it a better fall than generic PPEs, with our branding” pic.twitter.com/4pCHt7FJvN
— Alex Macheras (@AlexInAir) April 17, 2020
The Pundit’s Mantra
Moving forward, this could be the new normal. Airlines are re-strategizing their operations in a depressed market. As consumer demand rebounds, they’ll leave no stone unturned to restore customer belief in in-flight health and safety. This move could simply be one of several moves the industry takes in that direction.
What do you think about these new hazmat suit style uniforms for flight attendants? Tell us in the comments section.
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If the airline feels the FAs are in so much danger they have to dress them like this, they should also be issuing them to the customers or considering that they are not ready to fly yet. I’m not filled with confidence by an airline that feels they have to go to such measures for the FA, but the customers are still expected to sit shoulder to shoulder with just a mask.
Hi Jason,
Thanks for your comment. Indeed, it will take a lot longer for many customers to feel confident while flying again, especially given how cramped the seats have become off late.
world gone crazy. flight attendants in hazemate suits !?!?!?!?! come on people. Who want’s to fly like this …
Hi Eric,
Thanks for reading. As bad as it is, it could well be the only way airlines could operate in the short run. As you correctly pointed out, it’s definitely not the most comfortable and enjoyable way to fly again.
Japan Airlines and ANA might as well dress up their FAs as ninjas.
Hi Luke,
Thanks for your comment. You bet you’ll see airlines add their own dose of branding and personalization to the new protective gear as well!