The concourse is their runway; the airbridge is their catwalk.

I’m reminded of that scene from ‘Catch Me If You Can’: Leonardo di Caprio totally concealed amongst his entourage of gliding, glamorous Pan American cabin crew. A human shield of perfectly tailored, turquoise skirt suits and signature 1960’s pillbox hats.

Since the so-called golden age of aviation, the role of the flight attendant has thankfully evolved, but fashion and aviation still go hand in hand. A consortium of world-leading designers including Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, Pucci and Vivienne Westwood have all upgraded in-air uniforms – to the point where ‘uniform’ no longer makes sense. Instead, it’s a physical manifestation, and a walking status symbol, that differentiates each modern airline according to style and service.

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Beneath the glittering surface, it’s a demanding job. The rarified (read: dry) air, combined with manual labour, long-haul fatigue and difficult frequent fliers, makes keeping up appearances difficult at 35,000 feet. Any airline uniform must blend fashion, form and function to take to the skies.

Here’s a closer look at some of our favourite uniforms redefining (mile) high fashion:

Riyadh Air

Riyadh Air Uniform Men

Riyadh Air Uniform Women

Images via Riyadh Air & Ashi Studio

Of course, the first mention of first class style has to start at home. Riyadh Air customised its vestiaire together with Saudi couture creative director Mohammed Ashi of Ashi Studio; the renowned Paris-based Saudi fashion house. As a designer known for luxury creations that seamlessly blend modern shapes with premium fabrics, it is no surprise that the Riyadh Air cabin crew uniforms were first revealed at Paris Fashion Week in 2024. The rich purple hue of the collection has become a signature look, and pays homage to Saudi Arabia’s Northern lavender fields, connecting deeply with Riyadh Air’s distinct colour palette.

Female crew members will wear a nostalgia-inspired, tailored high-boatneck jacket with elbow-length sleeves and a practical below-the-knee pencil skirt, and tailored trousers are also an available option. For boarding, the look is completed with a chic pillbox hat, leather gloves, and a tailored wool jacket featuring traditional-inspired detailing over the left shoulder. Whilst the male cabin crew will sport a sophisticated, double-breasted purple suit paired with a matching shirt and tie in the brand's signature shade, with a high-neck, kimono-style jacket offered as an alternative choice.

Hanian Airlines

Hanian Airlines Uniforms

Images via Hainan Airlines

Hainan Airlines' iconic uniforms, designed by Chinese couturier to the stars, Laurence Xu. In 2017, these ensembles also famously debuted on the runway during Paris Couture Week. The collection seamlessly blends traditional Chinese aesthetics with western-style tailoring to create a sleek, international look. For women, the uniform features a modern, three-quarter sleeve cheongsam dress adorned with classical patterns of auspicious clouds, mountains, and waves. When disembarking, flight attendants also wear structured, light-grey caped coats with rounded collars, tailored blazers, and elegant beret-style hats. In contrast, the men's uniform is slightly more conservative and western-inspired, featuring double-breasted overcoats and sharp two-piece suits. This formal attire for male stewards is uniquely updated with traditional mandarin collars to match the cultural motif of the women's dresses.

Emirates Airline

Emirates Cabin Crew Uniforms

Image via Emirates

The Emirates uniform is an internationally renowned classic, and for a reason. Emirates unveiled its first cabin crew uniform in 1985 and the signature dessert dune colours have remained ever since. For women, the sandy beige, pinstriped skirt suits, contrasted with red accessories including shoes and handbag, and of course, the airline's signature lipstick. These beautiful cabin crew uniforms are topped off with an elegant hat and the iconic white scarf. For the eagle eyed amongst you, the chiffon scarf that drapes from the hat, features seven pleats to represent all seven Emirates of the UAE.

The male wardrobe features a rich, chocolate-brown pinstripe suit accented with red-piped lapels, paired with a crisp white shirt and a coordinating brown, white, red, and gold striped tie. During onboard service, male crew members transition into a beige waistcoat. Similarly, female crew members switch to a sandy-beige, pinstriped waistcoat worn over a red-piped white shirt to perfectly complement their skirts—with all garments engineered from high-performance, waterproof, and stain-proof materials.

Thai Airways

Thai Airways uniforms w

Image via Thai Airways

Ever wondered what happens to all that rubbish after a plane disembarks? Well, Thai Airways transforms the used water bottle caps left on board into wearable art – in the form of a decorative orchid broach.

Worn for welcoming passengers and moving through the airport, this internationally recognised national dress features a collarless, elegant blouse paired with a long wrap-around skirt, the women's traditional Thai Ruean Ton uniform is crafted with traditional Thai silk and blended with recycled fibres. Reflecting national heritage and offering greater flexibility and ease of movement, and sustainability all at the same time, the modern material blends 30% traditional Thai silk with 70% synthetic threads made from recycled in-flight plastic water bottles. Sustainable, stylish and practical.

Once in flight, female cabin crew change out of the traditional silk wrap and into a contemporary tailored Western outfit — typically consisting of a corporate smart blazer, a blouse, and a mid-length skirt or tailored trousers — better suited for active cabin service. The male crew adopt a chic suit from take off throughout. Starting with a dark grey suit, matched with a plum tie for boarding and take off, the men then change into a plum waistcoat, complementing the crisp white shirt, purple tie and dark charcoal pants; embracing the airline’s signature shades of royal purple, magenta, and gold to tie the entire crew's aesthetic together.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways Uniform 1

Qatar Airways Uniform 3

Images via Qatar Airways

You've probably noticed the chic Qatar Airways’ staff pacing through airports in their chic, conservative tailoring in the distinct corporate colours. Female cabin crew members wear a skirt suit in a deep signature burgundy, whilst senior staff members wear a similar silhouette in a sophisticated slate grey. The classic pencil skirt can be swapped out for a pair of tailored trousers paired, and inflight, the crew wears the white blouse, and a matching burgundy belt. The look is anchored by a retro-inspired, oval-shaped pillbox hat that sits elegantly over a sleek hair bun secured by a matching scrunchie.

In contrast, the male attendants wear a sharp, formal two-piece suit with a long-sleeved white shirt and a coordinating burgundy or grey tie depending on ranking. Matching the women's hats, the airline's iconic Arabian oryx logo facing inward features on the epaulette. In flight, the uniform is paired with a formal vest or waistcoat, to make movement easier during service.

Singapore Airlines

singapore airlines cabin crew

Image via Singapore Airlines

Back in 1968, legendary couturier Pierre Balmain designed the instantly recognisable sarong kebaya that has now become synonymous with Singapore Airlines. The female cabin crew wear a tailored, floor-length kebaya crafted from vibrant, custom-fitted batik fabric that honours Southeast Asian traditions. Four distinct colours represent rank: blue for flight stewards, green for leading stewards, red for chiefs and purple for in-flight supervisors. Timeless, gracious and enduring, the ‘Singapore Girl’ remains a paragon of Asian hospitality.

The male crew members wear sharp, single-breasted navy blue suits paired with a crisp, sky blue dress shirt and a coordinating striped tie. Just like the women's iconic kebaya, the specific colourway of the tie signifies each staff member's rank within the cabin hierarchy. A standard blue stripe denotes flight stewards, while a shift to green highlights leading stewards.

Air New Zealand

air-new-zealand-pilot-uniform

air-new-zealand-uniform-the-collective-thread-shirt

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Images via Air New Zealand & Emilia Wickstead

Air New Zealand’s uniform collection — designed by Emilia Wickstead in collaboration with tā moko artist Te Rangitu Netana — is a celebration of the the nation's cultural heritage, artistry, and land of Aotearoa (New Zealand). The colour palette centres on deep purple, violet, and dark navy, moving away from the previous pinks and greens., with the inspiration stemming from te ao Māori (the Māori world) and Pacific culture, integrating hand-painted, indigenous storytelling prints directly into high-fashion tailoring.

For female cabin crew and ground staff, the standout piece is a structured deep purple dress featuring a unique "tūī knot" neckline and a kōwhai print that symbolises protection, responsibility, and belonging. There is also a versatile, inclusive shirt boasting purapura whetū (star) patterns with Matariki stars stitched onto the sleeves. To foster inclusivity, female crew have the option to also wear trouser, and Pacific team members are trialing the Ie Faitaga, a traditional tailored skirt garment. Male crew members wear contemporary dark pinstriped suits paired with reverse striped shirts, printed ties, and a tailored waistcoat for inflight service. Air New Zealand pilots wear a sharp, black and silver pinstriped suit in a wider repeat featuring a hidden Kiwi feather print lining, and the iconic feather on the cuff.

Oman Air

Oman Air Uniform Cabin Crew

Image via Oman Air

Yet another Middle Eastern airline makes the list. The cabin crew uniform for Oman Air blends modern sophistication with rich maritime heritage, pivoting on a striking turquoise inspired by the Sea of Oman, and aptly the colour of the summer for 2026. Female flight attendants wear an elegant, monochromatic peplum, kick-flared jacket paired with a matching pencil skirt. The uniform is completed by a chic veil that drapes gracefully from their hats, over the shoulder with subtle gold accents. Mirroring this polished aesthetic and deep ocean-inspired hues, male crew members sport a sharp, tailored dark navy-teal suit featuring a turquoise vest and a coordinating tie, ensuring a cohesive and sophisticated look across the entire team.

Air India

Air India X Manish Malhotra uniforms 2

Air India X Manish Malhotra uniforms

Images via Air India

In 2023, Air India unveiled its latest uniform collection, designed by renowned Indian couturier Manish Malhotra, serves as a modern representation of a progressive, vibrant India while staying rooted in its cultural heritage. Featuring a mix of traditional saris, double breasted blazers, heels and brogues, the in-air wardrobe represents the celebrated designer’s take on modern Indian style. The colour palette features deep red, burgundy, aubergine, and accents of gold, which directly align with the airline's global brand identity.

For female cabin crew, the signature look is a stylish, ready-to-wear ombré sari that has been cleverly designed and adapted for ease of movement in active flight. Senior crew members wear aubergine-to-burgundy ombré saris with aubergine blazers, while junior crew wear vibrant red-to-purple, with gradients designed to subtly signify rank and seniority. Conversely, male cabin crew wear structured, traditional bandhgala suits with distinct colorways indicating their respective experience levels, and captains wear a tradition, clean cut, double breasted captain's jacket and tailored pants.

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