Air New Zealand Unveils Elegant, Woke New Uniforms

Air New Zealand has unveiled its new uniform collection with a bold and elegant assortment of clothing options for cabin crew, pilots, and ground staff.

Air New Zealand Unveils “Anything But Uniform” New Uniforms

Designed by Emilia Wickstead and modeled on hand-painted prints from artist Te Rangitu Netana, the uniform “marks the beginning of a new era for Air New Zealand, prioritizing what makes New Zealand unique to create a collection that is anything but uniform.”

Flight attendant uniforms feature a “kōwhai print” with “purapura whetū patterns.” Pilot uniforms feature “a bold pinstriped suit with Kiwi feather lining.”

Take a look:

In short, I love these uniforms…they are unique and classy. I love the feather-print ties and suit linings. The colors and design give the uniforms a uniquely Kiwi touch.

There’s also another agenda behind these uniforms.

Air New Zealand says, “This is more than just a uniform. It’s a celebration of our people, our culture, and our values.” Indeed, these uniforms are quite progressive too, since it appears there will be gender-neutral options based on the flight attendant named “Steven” in the promo photos wearing a blouse. Per Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran:

“Air New Zealand has never been about standing still or blending in. We have a tradition of being bold, showcasing what makes us unique, and celebrating our team members. Our new uniform encapsulates everything we stand for – a combination of innovation, rich cultural heritage, and a deep sense of pride and belonging.”

I use the word “woke” cautiously because it is a word that has morphed to mean many things to many people. As I define it here, it means embracing a worldview that is aware of and actively attentive to razing historic distinctions based on gender.

Air New Zealand adds, “The uniform is a true reflection of Air New Zealand’s commitment to empowering its people. This uniform is not only a symbol of Air New Zealand’s unique place in the world, but also where Aotearoa is today.”

Aotearoa is the Māori name for New Zealand.

When Will These Be Rolled Out?

The new uniforms will not be rolled out for all 6,000 employees until 2026. Starting in May 2025, they will be tested for an extended period by a subset of flight attendants. Air New Zealand first announced new uniforms before the pandemic, so this project has been years in the making.

CONCLUSION

Air New Zealand has debuted new uniforms that strike me as intricately detailed, classy, and a fitting homage to New Zealand. The new uniforms will be tested this year with plans to roll them out across the system in 2026.

What do you think of the new uniforms?

images: Air New Zealand