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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think the new British Airways uniform (announced today) is awful?

288 replies

Waterandair · 06/01/2023 16:12

The options are either a jumpsuit all in one or what is basically a suit and skirt. The males are fine with their suit but us the girls have been screwed over. Myself and pretty much every other crew member I know think it’s awful, we’ve been told if we don’t agree to wear it then our contracts will be terminated. Nothing feminine about it. Your fine wearing the suit if your a man but us females will look so manly it’s terrible!

To think the new British Airways uniform (announced today) is awful?
To think the new British Airways uniform (announced today) is awful?
To think the new British Airways uniform (announced today) is awful?
To think the new British Airways uniform (announced today) is awful?
To think the new British Airways uniform (announced today) is awful?
OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
Guineapig123 · 06/01/2023 17:31

The thought of going to the loo on a plane (especially the refurbished A320 with the smallest loo in the world) with a jumpsuit on is stressful…

BIWI · 06/01/2023 17:32

As so many people seem not to have read the article, and have only read the OP, here's the article in full, with the important bits in bold:

British Airways is the latest airline to try to shake-off that reputation with its first uniform revamp in 20 years - and it includes a jumpsuit.

It follows Virgin Atlantic allowing male pilots and crew to wear skirts and female colleagues to choose trousers.

As well as the all-in-one, designer Ozwald Boateng has also created a tunic and hijab for BA's new uniform.

But it has taken some time to get the clothes from the page to the plane - nearly five years in fact, including two years of delays because of the coronavirus pandemic.

During that time, Mr Boateng's designs have been put through their paces including testing the gear for BA's outdoor workers in freezing temperatures and pouring rain.

Finally the collection will be rolled out in spring for BA's 30,000 staff. Mr Boateng, a Savile Row tailor, has designed a three-piece suit for men while women can choose to wear a dress, skirt or trousers.

Staff will be allowed to order different cuts - normal or skinny-fit trousers - and will be able to book a fitting so the uniform is more tailored.

As for the jumpsuit, that will be for female check-in staff at first but BA expects cabin crew to be able to wear them by the middle of the year - after further testing.

Female cabin crew have already been trying out the new uniform and asked for changes. Emma Carey said: "The pockets on the apron, for example, were widened after the trial so we had more room for everything we need during meal services on board."

Engineers also requested tool pockets, and ground handlers asked for glove fabric that could cope with touch screens.

Last year, rival airline Virgin Atlantic announced it was taking a "fluid approach" to uniforms which allowed staff to choose their clothing "no matter their gender".

Savile Row tailor Ozwald Boateng has designed a three-piece suit for BA's male employees

Though it later said the policy did not apply to crew on board the England football team's flight to the World Cup in Qatar, which has been criticised for its treatment of LGBT people.

A spokesperson for BA said that although its uniforms were gendered, it has a policy which allows staff who identify as a certain gender to wear that clothing.
British Airways pilot uniforms

BA's uniforms by Ozwald Boateng (left) will replace those designed by Julien MacDonald

"As a colleague, you can chat to us about that and you can wear what you want. We've got a number of transgender colleagues, and have had that policy for decades," he said.

BA relaxed its dress code last year by allowing male pilots and cabin crew to wear makeup and nail varnish.

caravanbuckie · 06/01/2023 17:32

@JustMerkinYourChain

Are there women’s trousers (as in cut for women) available then?

I think so tbh, the press release indicates there are.

Clymene · 06/01/2023 17:33

So the crew member is wrong @BIWI?

BIWI · 06/01/2023 17:33

Would appear so.

JustMerkinYourChain · 06/01/2023 17:35

Guineapig123 · 06/01/2023 17:31

The thought of going to the loo on a plane (especially the refurbished A320 with the smallest loo in the world) with a jumpsuit on is stressful…

I’m breaking out in a sweat just thinking about it. Maybe they can include it in the interview process - a stopwatch timed test with a black light after to see whether you got wee on it.

Beees · 06/01/2023 17:35

Staff will be allowed to order different cuts - normal or skinny-fit trousers - and will be able to book a fitting so the uniform is more tailored.

I don't believe that for a second taht they would offer all their staff a fitting to make sure their uniform is tailored, don't you think that sounds extremely implausible.

JustMerkinYourChain · 06/01/2023 17:35

caravanbuckie · 06/01/2023 17:32

@JustMerkinYourChain

Are there women’s trousers (as in cut for women) available then?

I think so tbh, the press release indicates there are.

In that case, it’s fine, hopefully it is.

pleaseandthankyou45 · 06/01/2023 17:35

Hideous

Waterandair · 06/01/2023 17:36

BIWI · 06/01/2023 17:33

Would appear so.

I’m not wrong.

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 06/01/2023 17:36

Clymene · 06/01/2023 17:14

So the only trousers for women are men's trousers? That's shit.

It's so ugly and 1980s. All of it. Horrible

As an aside, I googled historic BA uniforms..l. The one from 1985 is a shocker 😂😂

LadyHarmby · 06/01/2023 17:36

There are FOUR options for women. Four! Seems like they’ve tried to accommodate everyone!

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 06/01/2023 17:39

These look like ladies' trousers to me. But perhaps the Concorde crew are different?

To think the new British Airways uniform (announced today) is awful?
SouthOfFrance · 06/01/2023 17:40

Its so odd they've not included a Proper womens trouser (& making women wear the mens trouser instead if they want that option). Surely if women do that they will look really odd & not as smart. Hopefully they will listen to feedback and irs something that can be easily rectified

hattie43 · 06/01/2023 17:40

Agreed I don't think the ladies option is flattering at all .

Waterandair · 06/01/2023 17:40

hattie43 · 06/01/2023 17:40

Agreed I don't think the ladies option is flattering at all .

This

OP posts:
Clymene · 06/01/2023 17:41

That striped one @SoupDragon? GrinGrinGrin

inappropriateraspberry · 06/01/2023 17:42

I don't like the skirt and think the jumpsuit is a ridiculous idea! What a faff trying to wee in an aeroplane loo.

DillDanding · 06/01/2023 17:42

Gosh, a jumpsuit? So impractical.

All of those choices are pretty awful, but then BA uniforms always are.

notimagain · 06/01/2023 17:42

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 06/01/2023 17:39

These look like ladies' trousers to me. But perhaps the Concorde crew are different?

Concorde has been gone a long time -

Whose uniform (or if it's a BA one which role) is that?

Lulu1919 · 06/01/2023 17:43

Looks like school uniform !!!

inappropriateraspberry · 06/01/2023 17:43

The fabric looks really stiff as well.

TangledWebOfDeception · 06/01/2023 17:43

If they've included women's trousers in the collection then that's fair enough. I mean the skirt is still hideous and the jumpsuit is completely stupid, but very few people get to wear a uniform they love.

MistyRock · 06/01/2023 17:44

Surely the jumpsuit has been designed to be easily removed if its had 5 years of testing. I doubt it'll be like your budget High Street version, impossible to remove by yourself.

Stravaig · 06/01/2023 17:46

Ok, so if you can choose from across the entire range, and have items tailored, then I'd have trousers and waistcoat tailored to fit. The dress would be fine with some adjustments. As would trousers paired with a shortened tunic dress. Plus comfy lace up ankle boots with a chunky sole, please.

Or is it actually more restrictive, and sexist, than the press release is making it sound? I assume sheer tights, high heels, and makeup are no longer required?