Australian Fashion Designer, Martin Grant, will create a new modern uniform for Qantas’ domestic, regional and international pilots two years after he designed a popular new image for the airline’s cabin crew and ground staff.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said that a new uniform for the airline’s 2,500 pilots came at a time of renewal.
“Every Qantas uniform over the past 95 years reflects its times and we’re excited to work with Martin on a new design that reflects modern Australian style as well as the positive things happening at Qantas,” said Mr Joyce.
“It’s important that our crew feel proud to wear the Qantas uniform around the world, every day. They represent the national carrier so we want them to feel confident and comfortable sitting in the flight deck, standing in the cabin or walking through an airport.
“A key part of the design process will be asking our pilots what they would like to see in the new design. With an increase in the number of female pilots in the Qantas ranks, the design of the female uniform will also be a focus,” added Mr Joyce.
Martin Grant said he was excited by the opportunity to design what will be the first new uniform for Qantas pilots in more than a decade.
“The reputation of Qantas pilots speaks for itself, so it’s a real honour to be asked to work with them to create their new uniform. I want it to be comfortable, stylish and most of all, distinguished,” said Martin.
“Early feedback from Qantas pilots is that they want to retain the traditional image but give it a modern makeover to be more elegant and more wearable. The female pilots are also hoping for a more feminine line so I will have that front of mind when I begin the design stage,” added Martin.
Qantas Chief Pilot, Captain Richard Tobiano, said while pilots are often unseen in their “office”, they take great pride in wearing their uniform and also place a great emphasis on comfort.
“The current uniform has served us well but after wearing the same thing every day for more than 10 years, we’re ready for a change. Given we spend up to 16 hours at a time on an aircraft, there’s a big focus on comfort and durability as well as reflecting our professionalism,” said Captain Tobiano.
Over the next few weeks Martin will host focus groups with representatives from the pilot community to get their feedback on what they would like to wear in terms of design, practicalities and comfort.
He will also travel across the airline’s domestic and international network for inspiration and join Qantas pilots in a flight simulator to understand the dynamics of the pilots’ working environment.
Qantas aims to have its pilot community wearing a newly designed uniform during 2016.
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About Martin Grant
Born in Melbourne, Australia, Martin Grant launched his first ready to wear collection 30 years ago in 1982. Since then, Martin has received numerous accolades and fashion awards for his designs. Martin is based in Paris and is internationally recognised for his bespoke tailoring, simplicity of lines and timeless silhouettes. His collections are sold across the world in Australia, Japan, France, New Zealand, Italy and the United States.
History of the Qantas pilot uniform
1930s – Aircraft cockpits were enclosed so pilots no longer needed to wear heavy overalls, helmets and goggles.
1935 – Qantas pilots first wore a khaki military-style tunic when the first international services between Brisbane and Singapore began 80 years ago using DH86 landplanes.
1938 – Many airlines operated flying boats where flight crews had to know as much about tides and currents as they did about airmanship, resulting in a nautical style uniform. Qantas moved to Empire flying boats operating from Sydney at this time, and the uniform also changed to reflect the nautical operating environment. Vestiges of this nautical theme remain today.
1940 – During the Second World War, Qantas flight crew reverted to military style khaki uniforms. The crews who flew the Catalina flying boats on the Double Sunrise service between Perth and Ceylon (Sri Lanka) were over enemy patrolled territory for much of the journey and it was thought that military uniforms would protect the crew under the Geneva Convention if captured.
1970 – A temporary break from tradition when a mid-blue uniform was introduced, reflecting broader style trends of brighter colours at the time.
1980 – The Qantas pilot uniforms changed back to the traditional nautical style in 1980. At this time, the first female pilots began flying with Qantas.
1993 – Australian label George Gross and Harry Who design uniforms featuring a navy jacket and trousers.
2003 – Australian designer Peter Morrissey refreshed the pilot uniform to feature single breasted black jacket and trousers.