Qantas unveils new uniform for pilots

Qantas has unveiled new uniform for its 3,000 domestic, international and regional pilots. The new design, by Australian fashion designer Martin Grant, is described as “modern and sleek” but with nostalgic features that link back the first Qantas pilot uniforms from the 1930s.

“Every Qantas uniform reflects its time and this version marks and exciting period for our pilots as we create new job opportunities and look forward to the delivery of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner next year,” CEO Alan Joyce said in a statement.

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The new uniform sports a modern, single-breasted navy suit in a streamlined cut with narrow trousers for males, and a more feminine version for females. The female uniform also includes a specific female tie. Gold stripes on the shirt are included to define rank. To add colour, a red vent is featured on the back of the jacket.

The navy hat has a waterproof top so the pilots can conduct pre-flight aircraft walk around in all weather. The logo embroidered on the hat has also been simplified using the Qantas Roo logo. The symbol is also the new wing badge, updated in gold embroidery. The uniform includes a water-resistant trench coat in bonded lightweight wool.

The new design, inspired by the classic military and naval-style pilot uniforms, was created with feedback from pilots in mind. Grant said the pilots wanted a uniform that was modern, wearable and recognisable. Only Australian fabrics were used in the making of the uniform, including the Australian Merino wool.

The uniform fittings will start in July, with all of the airline’s nearly 3,000 pilots expected to don the new suits by the end of 2016.

YouTube/Qantas

Meanwhile, a Qantas plane bound for Perth was delayed on Saturday in Melbourne after passengers noticed an “online threat.” Flight QF481 was due to take off at 6:5 p.m. but was delayed for two hours as Qantas security staff and Australian Federal Police checked the plane.

A passenger raised a concern about the potential threat during the boarding, prompting the crew and security team to check the plane. They found no safety or security threat, though some passengers chose not to travel; hence, there was a delay as their bags were taken off.

The pilot said a particular passenger tried to log on the Internet and noticed a hotspot name that was deemed threatening, Yahoo7 quoted an unnamed passenger. The pilot asked the person responsible for the Wi-Fi name, but no one came forward.