Under the umbrella of its new owner, Tata Group, Air India is upping the ante stylishly. The airline's employees, including the flying crew, ground, and security staff, will soon be in designer uniforms. The brains behind this transformation are none other than the renowned fashion designer, Manish Malhotra. More details will follow, but first, let's understand the motive behind the makeover.

Revival and Modernisation Plan

As a part of an ambitious revival and modernisation plan, the introduction of new uniforms is a significant step. These uniforms are not only expected to create a refreshing image but also mark the arrival of the airline's new A350 aircraft. The wide-body aircraft is due to join the fleet by year-end. Hopefully, the staff's new attires will coincide with this event.

Designing with Purpose

Manish Malhotra, a name that needs no introduction in India’s fashion industry, and his team have been meeting the airline staff one-on-one. These sessions aim to understand the unique requirements and specifications needed for the uniforms. This hands-on approach guarantees a blend of functionality with fashion, making the uniforms not only visually appealing but also comfortable for daily wear.

"Our shared ideology is simple yet profound: to evolve without erasing, to modernise without forgetting. Together, we aim to intertwine tradition with the future, crafting uniforms where comfort meets authenticity, wrapped in timeless elegance," said Malhotra.

Air India’s Brand Identity

The last major uniform change in the company took place in 2015 under government control. Currently, female cabin crew wears sarees or kurtas in red or blue, and male cabin crew sports a white shirt with black trousers. The new uniforms signify another push by Air India to establish itself as a modern company without forgetting its rich cultural heritage. It follows the recent unveiling of its new brand identity 'The Vista', suggesting "limitless possibilities".

The collaboration with Manish Malhotra signifies that the company's commitment to each of their employees, including the around 8,000 flying crew, isn't just skin deep. Malhotra said it is an absolute honour to collaborate with Air India, “our national flying ambassadors”.

Air India's management expressed a similar sentiment:

"We are working closely with Manish and his team to combine elements of our brand, our heritage and our culture, together with the unique requirements of the airline environment, for what we hope will be a fresh and exciting new look that supports and represents the new Air India," said the airline's CEO and MD Campbell Wilson.

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