Qantas Unveils New Pilot Uniforms

Qantas has unveiled the latest pilot uniform for its almost 3,000 domestic, international and regional pilots.

Created by Australian fashion designer Martin Grant, the navy suit is modern and sleek, with nostalgic design features linking back to the first Qantas pilot uniforms from the 1930s.

The single-breasted navy suit has a streamlined cut with a narrow trouser for males, and a more feminine version for women, including a specific female tie.

The fabric is lighter, the shirt is more fitted and the gold stripes used to define rank are finer to give a more elegant look. The back of the jacket also features a red vent to add a splash of colour.

Paying tribute to the quintessential nautical-style uniform, the hat is navy with a waterproof white top – important for conducting the pre-flight aircraft walk around in all weather. The gold embroidered hat badge has been simplified using the Qantas Roo logo – the iconic symbol first introduced in 1947 to coincide with Qantas’ first services through to London. The symbol also features on the new wing badge, which has been updated in gold embroidery.

Based on the Qantas trench, a water resistant trench coat in bonded lightweight wool for pilots has also been introduced – giving it the practical aspect whilst maintaining the chic, tailored quality.

“Pilots have one of the most respected professions in the world. I decided it was very important to keep the classic base of the military and naval styles as it maintains and commands this respect,” said Mr Grant. “Feedback from pilots was that they wanted to keep the traditional image but give it a fresh makeover to be more elegant and wearable. With an increase of female pilots in the ranks, it was also important to design more feminine suiting for women ... The hat is what makes a pilot so recognisable. I wanted to go back to the essence of the naval uniform and bring back the white top. It gives a nostalgic element, reminding us of the glamour of air travel. The embroidery on the Captain’s hat, commonly referred to in pilot circles as ‘scrambled eggs,’ has become a generic design over the years, so I transformed it into golden wattle, Australia’s national flower, which felt appropriate for the national carrier.”

Only Australian fabrics have been used, including Australian Merino wool for the suits and cotton blends for the shirts, designed for high levels of comfort and different climates. The new uniform also features the Australian Coat of Arms on the tie pin.

New uniform fittings will begin in July, with all pilots wearing the new design by the end of 2016. 

Facts and Figures

- Approximately 80,000 garments will be produced;

- Approximately 30,000 metres of suiting and 30,000 metres of shirting fabrics will be produced;

- The suit is made from Pure Australian Merino Wool and Australian cotton in the shirting;

- Manufactured in Paris, approximately 5,000 metres of gold braid will be used for the epaulettes, hat and stripes;

- Approximately 4 kilograms of gold bullion thread will be used on the hat and wing badge;

- Qantas pilots first wore a navy hat with a white top from 1935-1974;

- This is the first time in 13 years Qantas Pilots have worn a new uniform;

- It follows the all-new cabin crew uniform, which was introduced in 2013.

In February 2016 Qantas announced it would recruit 170 additional pilots as part of preparations for the arrival of the B787-9 Dreamliner from late 2017.

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