Qantas pilots set for stylish new look
Qantas flight attendant uniforms have had a makeover, and now the men and women in the cockpit are about to follow suit.
Designer Martin Grant will create a new look for the airline's pilots two years after he revamped workwear for cabin crew and ground staff.
Grant says he's excited to make the first new uniform for Qantas pilots in more than a decade, updating the current single-breasted black jacket and trousers designed by Peter Morrissey in 2003.
"I want it to be comfortable, stylish and most of all, distinguished," he says.
The Paris-based Australian designer will travel across the airline's domestic and international network for inspiration and join pilots in a flight simulator to understand the dynamics of their working environment.
Qantas Group chief executive Alan Joyce says the airline's 2,500 pilots will get a say in the design.
"With an increase in the number of female pilots in the Qantas ranks, the design of the female uniform will also be a focus," Joyce said.
Grant says early feedback from pilots indicates they want to retain the traditional image but make it more modern, elegant and wearable.
"The female pilots are also hoping for a more feminine line, so I will have that front of mind when I begin the design stage," he says.
Qantas Chief Pilot Captain Richard Tobiano said after wearing the same thing every day for more than 10 years his pilots were ready for a change.
"Given we spend up to 16 hours at a time on an aircraft, there's a big focus on comfort and durability as well as reflecting our professionalism," Captain Tobiano said.
The roll out of the new uniforms is expected to begin in 2016.
3 wearing a French navy dress with ruby red and fuchsia diagonal stripes for its launch.
