[Air] New Zealand - Land of the dull grey uniform?
Neat, tidy but not distinctiveAir New Zealand recently re-branded with new Zambesi-designed uniforms. The designers speak of “subtle and peaceful palette of teal, greenstone and schist” but I thought the Cabin Crew & Airport Counter uniforms looked rather drab communist grey. They are neat, tidy and have some nice details but are just not distinctive and on the planes the crew blend in with the passengers.
The few flights I’ve done since they were introduced had one thing in common, murmurs of disapproval from those wearing them. Some comments overheard may give a feeling for how the troops are finding them which seems somewhat different to the corporate designer propaganda in the latest in-flight mag:
- Passenger to (male) cabin crew assisting someone put a bag in overhead locker:
- Passenger: “Which is your seat”
- Crew: “I’m crew”
- Passenger: “Sorry, you looked like a passenger.”
- Male crew, transiting in mufti, speaking to uniformed crew:
- “The shirts are strange to iron, take ages then look like you haven’t bothered”
- “The young guys are wearing the open shirts too open, too casual, what’s next, will they bring out the 80’s gold medallions?”
- Female crew transiting in uniform speaking to uniformed crew:
- “They are hot, don’t breathe”
- “The material marks and it’s hard to keep neat, I’m on my second top and have not started work yet”
David Farrar: Air New Zealand Uniforms
David Farrar: Air New Zealand Uniforms
