Fly Sharp
United Airlines channels Mad Men in its brand new uniforms: It's a Continental merger thing
After announcing a big order for the latest and greatest Boeing Dreamliner and another for the newest generation of Airbus A350s, United Airlines has tackled the employee uniform.
No more boxy jackets, no more dated stripe accents. The new look — which debuted on Tuesday, marking the first time more than 64,000 employees from ramp workers to flight attendants were similarly styled — is much more tailored.
It's also the first time since the Continental merger that airline employees have looked cohesive, one representative tells CultureMap.
"The new uniforms project a contemporary, sophisticated look that reflects the modern airline we're building," Jeff Foland, United's executive vice president of marketing, technology and strategy, said in a statement. "With significant feedback from our uniformed co-workers, we've designed pieces that are professional, stylish and functional."
One particular belted cobalt number with black stripes is definitely more Mad Men chicthan the navy and gold smocks of years past.
In addition to a core flight attendant wardrobe of black trousers, skirts, sweaters and blazers, female attendants have the additional option of short-sleeved jackets and two dress styles. Don't expect anything quite so skimpy as the hemlines of the '60s and '70s, but one particular belted cobalt number with black stripes is definitely more Mad Men chicthan the navy and gold smocks of years past.
Customer service agents will wear "colored shirts and distinctive neckwear that vary depending on their job responsibilities" and ramp, cargo and technical operations employees will be outfitted with work shirts, polo shirts and T-shirts made for year-round comfort, plus unisex pants, shorts, coveralls, outerwear, rainwear, sweatshirts, baseball caps and knit caps.
United pilots will see a change up later this year, with newly-designed uniforms in the "traditional midnight blue color with gold stripes and accents."
