Etihad Airways Unveils New Uniforms

Etihad Airways has unveiled new uniforms created by Italian Haute Couturier, Ettore Bilotta at his atelier in Milan.

The new uniform cleverly merges dramatic elements of old world haute couture from 1960s Paris and Rome, with the more contemporary fashions evident on the runways of London, New York, Milan and Tokyo.

The launch has been timed to coincide with the arrival of Etihad Airways’ fleet of Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways said, “Ettore, working with our teams, has once again delivered a new uniform which will showcase our brand with characteristic flair at every city on our ever-growing network. The world has been paying very close attention to us this year and our new collection will not disappoint. It is the embodiment of the Etihad Airways brand, service ethos and unshakeable commitment to excellence, marking our arrival as a leader of sophisticated flying.”

The new uniforms will be introduced system-wide from 27 December and will be worn by Etihad Airways’ cabin crews and ground teams, and feature new designs for the airline’s Butlers in The Residence by Etihad, First Class Inflight Chefs, Business Class Food & Beverage Managers, Cabin Managers, Cabin Crew, Flying Nannies, and airport and lounge teams.

Ettore Bilotta said, “Since the launch of Etihad in 2003, I have come to know the airline, its teams and management, very intimately, and have developed a style which has evolved as the airline has grown. For me it has essentially been about dressing a brand and an ethos.”

Made from 100% Italian wool, the uniforms feature an intricate jacquard design and were made in various locations across Italy, with additional manufacturing taking place in Shanghai, Tunis and Bucharest. Approximately 30% of the outfits were handmade or hand-stitched.

The uniforms have been created incorporating almost all the brand colours of Etihad Airways’ brand palette. A warm chocolate brown has been chosen as the base colour for the different uniform variations, with a deep purple accent colour for cabin crew and lounge teams, and a burnt orange accent colour for ground crews and Special Services teams. Bilotta has also taken the unusual step of breaking up the main primary shades by introducing all the secondary colours as accents on blouses and accessories.

Female cabin crew, ground and lounge teams will wear a skirt suit, accessorised with fitted gloves, belt, hat and scarf.

Male cabin crew will wear a three-piece suit, while male ground crew will wear a two-piece suit. Accessories will also include belts and gloves. Male lounge agents will wear new Food & Beverage uniforms in line with those worn by the onboard Food & Beverage Managers.

For Etihad Airways’ Butlers, the airline has combined historic British butler attire with new world design. The fabric colours used for this uniform are warm brown for the long-tailed jackets and ties, ivory for the trousers and waistcoats and white for the shirt and gloves.

Aubrey Tiedt, Vice President Guest Services at Etihad Airways said: “This is not just a uniform. This is pret-a-porter concept – a future lifestyle statement and homage to the golden age of glamorous flight. It is about bringing back classic elegance, allure and richness to our men and women in a style which will become their signature look. No matter where you are in the world, you will know this is Etihad.”