Air India Express new uniform: why it was introduced

The staff of Air India Express have received a new uniform. The low cost airline has chosen a completely new look with different colours while staying true to Indian culture. In this article, I show you the old and new uniforms and explain everything you need to know.

Prefer watching instead of reading? In the video below, I take a closer look at Air India Express’ new uniform and explain the inspiration behind the design.

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The old Air India Express uniform

The previous uniforms were introduced in 2018. The women’s uniform consisted of a red tunic with orange trousers, complemented by a scarf. Traditional Indian motifs appeared on both the sleeve cuffs and the scarf.

The colour choice was no coincidence. In Indian culture, red symbolises enthusiasm, vitality and prosperity. Orange represents energy and clarity. The men’s uniform was less striking. They wore a sand coloured suit with a white shirt and a red tie.

The new Air India Express uniform

From 1 September, Air India Express introduced the new uniforms for its staff. Not only the cabin crew, but also airport staff, security personnel and other frontline employees now wear the new design.

The uniforms form part of the Tales of India initiative. Through this project, Air India Express introduces passengers to art forms inspired by India’s indigenous traditions, crafts and cultural heritage. The airline had already used these artistic influences on its aircraft tails, and now they also appear in the uniforms.

The uniforms are made from banana crepe, a medium weight fabric that mainly consists of polyester. Despite its name, it does not contain fibres from banana plants. Instead, banana crepe is known for its softness, subtle sheen and elegant drape. According to Air India Express, the fabric was specially developed for airline operations because it combines breathability, comfort and durability.

 

Air India Express chooses the kurti

The new uniform draws inspiration from the traditional kurti. A kurti is a short or mid length tunic worn by women in countries including India. Women commonly wear it for everyday activities, business occasions and celebrations. The garment is popular among women of all ages because it suits different body types and is comfortable to wear in India’s warm climate.

Air India Express chose a kurti featuring a distinctive print. Designer Pooja Krishnan spent two years developing the design. She drew inspiration from several traditional Indian textiles to create the new uniform.

Kanjeevaram (Tamil Nadu)

A luxurious silk fabric known for its rich colours and gold woven borders. Kanjeevaram saris are traditionally worn at weddings and other festive occasions.

• Pattu (Himachal Pradesh)

A warm hand woven wool fabric traditionally used in the mountainous regions of northern India. It is recognised by its geometric patterns and colourful borders.

• Patola (Gujarat)

A highly refined hand woven silk in which the threads are dyed before weaving. This creates intricate symmetrical patterns. A single Patola sari can take months or even years to produce.

• Gamosa (Assam)

A traditional woven cloth that symbolises respect and hospitality. The white fabric with red motifs is often presented as a gift during important ceremonies.

• Bagh (Madhya Pradesh)

An ancient block printing technique in which fabrics are hand printed using wooden blocks. The geometric and floral patterns are traditionally created with natural dyes.

These prints can clearly be seen on the women’s kurtis and scarves. They also appear on the pilots’ ties and pocket squares. Krishnan worked on the collection together with Shivali Kumar, who also works for Air India Express.

A uniform with a story

With its new uniform, Air India Express shows that culture, tradition and professionalism can go hand in hand. The dark blue base gives the collection a smart appearance that fits naturally in an international environment. It is no coincidence that this colour is so popular throughout the airline industry. It suits many people while creating a professional look.

What really makes this uniform stand out, however, is not the colour itself. Instead, it is the prints on the kurti, scarf and tie that tell the story. They reflect the origins of the staff and reinforce the airline’s connection to its cultural heritage. At the same time, the light blue and orange accents give the dark blue uniform a fresh and vibrant appearance.

The men’s uniform is another clear improvement. Instead of wearing sand coloured suits, they now wear the same dark blue shade as the women. As a result, the entire team looks much more consistent. Previously, the individual garments looked attractive on their own, but together they did not create the impression of one team. Now they do.

Chapeau!

Want to read more about airline uniforms?

Also check:

• How Indian women’s workwear developed differently from the West
• Air India introduces a new cabin crew uniform
• Garuda Indonesia’s new 2026 uniform: here’s what changed

Best,

Aileen