After American Airlines had a disastrous uniform rollout in 2016 that resulted in lawsuits, the airline will be debuting new uniforms by the end of 2019.
The new uniforms offer a wide selection of shirts and scarves, designed with deep blues, purples and reds. American allowed its employees to select their uniforms and held a fashion show in Dallas last week where dozens of American representatives on the Frontline Uniform Advisory Team voted on two final designs. The two new options, “Skybound” and “Modern Voyage,” are designed by Lands’ End, the airline’s new manufacture. Modern Voyage won by a 60% majority.
“We’re working hard to deliver an industry-leading uniform program designed in collaboration with our frontline team members. We previously announced that in an effort to get our team into new uniforms that everyone feels comfortable wearing, Lands’ End will produce our current design in Aviation Blue, and team members were involved every step of the way for the new shirting and accessory designs being introduced,” the airline said in a statement.
In September 2016, thousands of American employees claimed their new uniforms were causing them to break out in hives and experience other health issues. The manufacturer, Twin Hill, denied these allegations and said there was no evidence linking any of the symptoms to to their uniforms. Alaska Airlines experienced similar symptoms from Twin Hill uniforms in 2013, but lost the lawsuit. After American received 5,000 complaints, the airline announced it would not be renewing its contract with Twin Hill after it expires in 2020.
The first wave of the new uniforms will be released by the end of 2019 and bolder designs will come out in 2021. The entire uniform will be Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified, the highest certification level for textile products. Along with the uniform fabric, belts, zippers, buttons, sewing threads and product labels will also be tested, the Chicago Business Journal reports.