Australia’s new low-cost airline Bonza is giving its flight attendants the liberty to combine and match uniform objects as they please, no matter gender, in an Australian airline first.
The provider has debuted a ‘put on it your method’ vary, with non-traditional uniform choices together with white sneakers, crew-neck T-shirts and tailor-made shorts.
The uniform coverage additionally does away with typical grooming necessities.
“We won’t dictate what lipstick to wear – or whether you have to wear lipstick at all,” stated Carly Povey, chief business officer at Bonza.
As a part of the inclusive coverage, the airline moreover will not ask crew to cowl up tattoos, or require feminine employees to put on a skirt.
“If you’re non-binary, pregnant, work in the office or onboard, we have options for you,” stated Povey.
Uniform necessities are typically strict amongst most airways, with some worldwide carriers dictating the looks of their cabin crews proper right down to which hairstyles they could have and what shade of make-up they will put on.
According to Povey, the temporary was merely to create a uniform its employees might put on with satisfaction.
“Bonza is for the many, not the few, and that’s what you’ll see with our first uniforms,” Povey stated.
In place of conventional button-up shirts, shift clothes, pantyhose and excessive heels, Bonza’s “legends” (the identify given to its cabin crew) will don clothes that “reflects current trends”, in response to the designer behind the brand new uniform vary, Total Image Group head designer and CEO Pamela Jabbour.
“My goal was for the uniforms to reflect the excitement and optimism that Bonza brings to Aussie travellers,,” Jabbour stated.
“Instead of pantyhose, polyester shirts, black high heels and traditional embroidery – we have created a uniform that reflects current trends and that legends will wear with pride.”
Speaking to Traveller, Povey stated the corporate felt like airline uniforms weren’t evolving with the occasions, referring to them as “the land that time forgot”.
“Bonza is all about bringing positive change to the aviation sector and it was important to create a uniform that reflects today’s world,” she stated.
“It’s more than a uniform for us – it’s about being truly inclusive and empowering our legends to deliver for our customers whilst wearing a uniform they’re proud of.
“We would like to see extra organisations, aviation or in any other case, undertake a extra inclusive method in relation to what their groups put on.”
The uniforms have also been designed to reflect Bonza’s key destination climates.
“‘Wear it your method’ [policy] permits our legends to let their personalities shine while having choices that replicate the various climates on our route map – from tropical North Queensland to the ski fields close to Albury,” said Povey.
Included in the new uniform range, is a blazer with a purple trim, a loose-fitted purple-striped shirt dress, a tailored purple sleeveless coat, a black sleeveless puffer vest, and cropped pants.
There are also a number of accessories in the range, to let flight attendants customise their look, including custom socks, a Bonza thumbs-up pin, and a purple scarf that can be worn as a hair, neck or pocket accessory.
In another break from tradition, the carrier has also abandoned the obligatory pilot hat, claiming Bonza would prefer to pass any savings onto customers instead.
The budget airline has already had to delay its June launch date by more than two months, as it awaits delivery of three new Boeing 737 MAX 8s.
Bonza now plans to launch in September, with services from the Sunshine Coast to take off first to 12 destinations across the country, followed by Melbourne (eight routes).
The uniform unveiling comes as other airlines face pressure to amend their dress codes.
Qantas recently came under pressure by the Australian Services Union for its gendered uniform rules, which require female staff to wear makeup, high heels and hosiery.
The union post an open letter on Facebook, calling on Qantas’ chief executive Alan Joyce to adopt “smart and low-cost modifications for a extra inclusive office”.
Among the uniform amendments proposed is the elimination of necessities for feminine employees to put on make-up and excessive heels, and to contemplate ditching heels and hosiery altogether. The nationwide provider claims its uniform is presently underneath assessment.
Earlier this month, Virgin Australia debuted a brand new cabin crew winter uniform, which features a sleeveless puffer jacket and hooded bomber jacket. The new uniform objects are a part of a seasonal collaboration with activewear model P.E. Nation, however will solely be obtainable to employees on board the provider’s Tasmania providers.
Source: traveller.com.au