Delta Air Lines’ stylish new uniforms and Missoni accessories

Delta Air Lines has unveiled new uniforms that will soon be available for its flight attendants, gate agents, lounge staff and ground staff, and TPG was on hand when the airline hosted a fashion show in Atlanta.

The new look, dubbed “Delta Signature Series,” has been a long time coming for team members at the airline.

The airline said the new look reflects its “continued commitment to comfort, confidence and connection”. Employees will soon begin “wear testing” the new uniforms, with a full rollout planned for 2027.

Among the biggest changes: a return to the airline’s signature navy and red, as well as an updated version of the employee-favorite wrap skirt, and a new line for Delta’s red coats, its elite customer service agents, as well as premium service employees like Delta’s One Lounge. This all coincides with the airline’s centenary celebrations.

“As we turn 100, we heard loud and clear from our employees that we want to go back to the colors we had 100 years ago,” Ekrem Dimbiloglu, Delta’s managing director of uniforms and inflight brand experience, told TPG. “So it’s very important for us to go back to the colors of the widgets. You can see that on this aircraft today, go back to navy blue, go back to red.”

While the uniforms themselves are produced by Lands’ End, the outfit also includes some fresh accessories from Italian fashion house Missoni, the makers behind the amenity suits you see in Delta’s premium cabins.

Here’s what else we learned during a recent visit to Atlanta to see the new uniforms, meet some of the people behind the process, and learn more about the airline and its employees.

New “Distinctly Delta Collection” uniforms

Delta Air Lines hosted a full fashion show at the newly renovated Delta Air Lines Museum of Flight, located near the airline’s headquarters at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

There were 35 Delta employee models and hundreds of Delta employees on the runway, not to mention an appearance from Delta CEO Ed Bastian.

Reward your inbox with the TPG daily newsletter

Join over 700,000 readers and get breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive offers from TPG experts

By signing up you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our terms of use and acknowledge our data practices Privacy Policy. You can cancel your subscription at any time.

“I can’t imagine a better time to launch this project as we launch the second century of flight,” Bastian told the audience.

“Core on the Wing” Series

The new look for Delta flight attendants and airport customer service agents will return to the airline’s classic blue and burgundy colors. Say goodbye to the fuchsia uniforms passengers will see on flights today.

Delta calls the new hues “Navigator Navy” and “Boarding Burgundy.”

When the new wrap skirt appeared on the T stage, the audience burst into the warmest applause. It caused a lot of anxiety among staff when designer Richard Tyler’s original wrap dress from the 2000s was retired, so it’s a welcome addition to the range.

Another notable feature is the inclusion of maternity versions of various uniform types, including uniforms for “under the wing” ramp crews.

“Elite on the Wings” Series

The Elite Collection is a new concept at Delta Air Lines and will be worn by senior service employees in lounges, flight attendants or service leadership positions.

You might even see these well-dressed people in the priority check-in area (think Delta Check-in Counter One at John F. Kennedy International Airport).

“It’s really important to have employees who work with our best customers, which are the customers who have booked premium cabins or, frankly, are loyal to the brand and they see a heightened experience throughout their journey,” Dimbiloglu said. “They’ll see a thread throughout because it’s about the quality of their experience.”

“Above Wing Red Coat” Series

Delta’s “redcoats” are known for going above and beyond when it comes to customer service on the ground. Red Coat employees are known for their red blazers, but now they have their own ensemble, all in what the airline calls “runway red.”

New products include a cardigan and a red V-neck dress.

“Under the Wings” series

Delta isn’t neglecting its ground crew.

Garments for baggage handlers, ramp workers, technical operators and other “under the wing” workers were redesigned and crafted based on employee feedback regarding things like deeper pockets and tougher materials.

Cargo pants are a particularly popular new addition.

Expanding partnership with Missoni

Passengers will find bedding and amenity sets from iconic Italian fashion brand Missoni on Delta One, while the airline’s flight attendants will receive their own new Missoni accessories such as scarves, ties and pocket squares.

RELATED: I flew a Delta One A350-900 to Australia: Here’s how I booked it for just 73,000 SkyMiles

1 of 2

delta

Additionally, we have a new partnership with sock company Bombas that will feature special Delta brand elements. Unfortunately, images of the new socks have yet to be released.

Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines is undergoing a major brand overhaul, with London-based brand agency DixonBaxi releasing a major refresh of its brand image as the airline celebrates its 100th anniversary.

How about a Delta pink dress?

While we didn’t get to see it, Delta assured TPG that the pink dresses the company hands out to employees every October to raise awareness and funds to fight breast cancer will also be updated.

“The collection introduces a new power pink hue as our ongoing 20-year partnership with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation continues,” the airline said in a statement. “Every October, the people of Delta will continue to wear this color with pride.”

All of this adds to the fact that the Zac Posen-designed 2018 uniforms, which feature “Passport Plum” as their signature color, have been met with mixed reviews since their launch.

Delta Flight Museum and Archives

The uniform unveiling took place at the wonderful Delta Flight Museum, where a select group of journalists took an inside look at Delta’s uniform archives and other facilities.

This is a small sample of the series.

RELATED: Delta Air Lines launches new flights to Marrakesh, Morocco: What it looks like on first flight

bottom line

Flight attendants in attendance at the unveiling seemed very excited about the new uniforms, especially the return of the wrap skirt. The new look is expected to be a hit, as most of Delta’s 65,000 employees have provided feedback on how they dress over the past few years.

The real test will come in the next year or two, as more and more employees test the uniforms in the real world to see how they perform in daily wear. Staff will monitor comfort, durability and safety.

The previous uniforms were met with numerous employee complaints, including not fitting well, having no pockets, and even causing skin reactions and rashes. This time, employees really drove the design, according to the airline.

Advertisement

Related reading: