Qantas announces a major redesign to its crew’s uniforms. This is the first time it has done so in over 10 years. The national carrier is set to overhaul the brand’s signature navy, red and fuchsia uniforms that have been a staple for staff since 2013.
Vanessa Hudson, the airline’s CEO, said that it was time to redefine Qantas. However, the new look won’t be unveiled until 2027.
Ms Hudson said, “We have ambitious goals for the future. Transforming the way that we represent our brand is essential to this.”
“With a vast, growing international and domestic aviation network, an historic fleet renewal program under way and the final frontier for global aviation around the corner, it’s time to define a brand new look that reflects our future.”
Ms Hudson said that Qantas staff would be at the heart of the redesign, which will begin with the airline surveying its 17,500-strong employee base.
She thanked Martin Grant, the designer who created the airline’s current uniform in 2013 for his work and collaboration.
Qantas announced that it would redesign its signature navy, red, and fuchsia-coloured uniforms for the brand’s first time in over 10 years. Former designers include Peter Morrissey and Yves Saint Laurent. George Gross, Harry Who, and Emilio Pucci created iconic uniforms that reflected key moments in Flying Kangaroo’s 105 year history.
Ms Hudson said Qantas will hire an Australian designer to design the eleventh uniform of the airline’s long history. Qantas is expected to announce the next designer of the new uniform after it has surveyed the airline’s workforce in the coming months.
Qantas will debut its new design in 2027 as part of the major fleet investments the airline is making. The historic renewal program of the national carrier will see more 100 aircraft added to its current fleet over the next ten years.
The newly ordered A350-1000 will launch the airline’s Project Sunrise, dubbed the final frontier of aviation, in mid-2026. The new uniforms follow a turbulent year for Qantas, which saw its post-tax profit fall by 28 per cent to $1.25billion during the 2024 financial period.
The decline was largely attributed to the moderated fares, increased expenditure on customer initiatives and decreased freight revenue. The airline is focusing on gaining back customers to boost profits through passenger promotions and inflight amenities after a year that saw headlines over safety ratings, legal disputes and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s perks.
In December, Qantas was forced to pay $120million to 1,800 illegally fired ground and baggage handlers after a four year landmark industrial relations battle.
