Almost a decade after Delta Air Lines debuted is purple uniforms designed by Zac Posen, the company is going back to its roots with red and blue uniforms that match the fresh cabin design the company is rolling out fleet wide.
The new uniforms, dubbed the Distinctly Delta collection, are also an attempt to deliver uniformity to Delta gate agents, flight attendants and crew members who used the strength of the flight attendants’ union to protest the current uniform for uncomfortableness and irritations.
The airline and union agreed to allow a gray uniform as their settlement. Today, flight attendants and gate agent wear either the gray or purple uniform.
“There’s no better manifestation of the Delta brand than the Delta people who wear our uniform,” said Ranjan Goswami, senior vice president of customer experience design said in a press release. “Launching this collection represents a new era for Delta as we honor the past while designing a premium and timeless collection that leads us into our next 100 years.”
The company has created four distinct collections for its workers. Each is produced by Lands End and has similarities to previous Delta uniforms. The looks were crafted based on the feedback of the company’s 65,000 airport customer service, in-flight and technical operations uniformed employees, Delta said.
Pocket placement and fabric choices were a large part of the consideration set. Many Delta employees operate in extreme conditions, whether on-board an aircraft or in a maintenance center. The iconic Delta wrap dress is making a comeback, something crews were passionately asking for.
The company has introduced dark blue and shades of red with the hue names Navigator Navy, Boarding Burgundy and Runway Red. The company’s annual partnership with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation will continue with crew members now wearing a fresh color, Powerful Pink, each October.
Delta will distinguish its crew members’ roles with uniform accents. For example, subtle jacquard patterns intertwine the Delta Widget distinguishing Red Coats (in-airport managers), Sky Club ambassadors and pursers.
The airline collaborated with Missoni as an extension of its partnership that already includes freshly designed Delta One amenity kits and linens, to create the accessories (scarves, ties and pocket squares).
For the first time, Delta will partner with Bombas. The sock maker will provide socks with special Delta branding for above and below-wing employees.
Next summer, Delta employees will begin wear-testing the uniforms. All employees are expected to begin wearing the uniforms by 2027.
“The Distinctly Delta collection is the result of a multi-year journey, with employee feedback at the heart of every stitch. It’s a nod to our past while designing for the future and we couldn’t be more excited to see our people in this uniform come 2027,” Ekrem Dimbiloglu, managing director of uniform and onboard brand experience, told Newsweek.
