Air India may say goodbye to its iconic cabin crew sarees for trendy uniforms

Air India is contemplating a change in its female cabin crew uniforms, signaling a departure from the traditional sarees that have symbolized the airline for six decades, as reported by Hindustan Times.

The new wardrobe, which will include churidars for female crew members and suits for their male counterparts, is expected to debut in November 2023. The designs are being crafted by the renowned fashion designer Manish Malhotra, according to the report.

Winds of change at Air India

• Now, as Air India is in the midst of a modernising and revamping spree, the iconic Air India saree may make way for more contemporary uniforms.
• While designer Manish Malhotra, who is tasked with designing the new one, remained tight-lipped due to a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with the national carrier.
• Anonymous insiders have revealed to the HT, that the new uniforms will be retaining traditional elements.
• "Churidars will be one of the options for women, and the male crew members will wear suits," disclosed an anonymous official.
• "The sarees will take a back seat, and there is even a possibility that they may no longer be a part of the crew's wardrobe," he added. However, some sources in the report said that the sarees may not be completely phased out.

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Another source within the airline disclosed, "Various options were presented to the airline, including ready-to-wear sarees that resemble traditional ones but do not require intricate draping. However, the final decision rests with the management."

Colour scheme

• The new uniforms will reportedly harmonise with Air India's fresh livery, featuring shades of deep red, aubergine, and gold.
• Furthermore, after the merger with Vistara, another TATA carrier, the latter's cabin crew will adopt the same attire as Air India, aligning both airlines under a unified look.

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But, when?

• Air India's CEO and Managing Director, Campbell Wilson, announced at the rebranding event in August that the airline's new look with the fresh livery and branding would make its debut after the arrival of the new Airbus A350 aircraft.
• So, with the expected arrival of its new Airbus A350 in October or November 2023, it is on this occasion that the new uniforms could be unveiled.

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Air India has not officially commented on the matter, leaving room for speculation and discussion among enthusiasts of the saree. Air India remains one of the very few airlines whose female cabin crews have sarees as their uniform.

Iconic tradition

• For a long time, Air India's female cabin crew has been known for their elegant sarees, a cherished feature of the airline's identity.
• This tradition dates back to 1962 when the late JRD Tata decided to replace the conventional skirt, jacket, and hat with the saree along with a few other options

• The first sarees were sourced from Binny Mills, and this iconic change in attire set a unique standard for the airline.
• To this day, Air India's female air hostesses have the option of choosing from the iconic sarees and the 'tunic and pants' of the same colour.

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