An Alaska 737-800 at Reagan National Airport (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Craig Fischer)
Alaska Airlines announced on January 23 that it is rolling out its new uniform collection across Alaska and Horizon Air.
The new uniform is a custom-designed collection by Luly Yang and is the first uniform to be certified to STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®.
The Alaska collection was first introduced in 2018, and since then it has been refined and adjusted with input from over 175 employees who tested the uniform on-the-job. The uniforms are to be rolled out through early 2020 to all employees. Horizon Air and Alaska Lounge concierges are already wearing the new uniform.
The uniform design process started by surveying thousands of employees, as well as focus groups and site visits to understand the focus groups’ needs. Popular requests for the uniform included more pockets and suitability for different climates.
Luly Yang focused on fit and function to include additional features in the uniform like water-resistant materials, activewear fabrics and flexible textiles that move with the body.
In an interview with CNBC, Yang, the designer, said “This was the ultimate puzzle for a designer. In this case it was more than 20,000 clients, employees with hundreds of body shapes, 13 work groups and sometimes 45 sizes per garment. It was complicated, which is why I loved it.”
Sangita Woerner, Alaska Airlines’ Senior Vice President of Marketing and Guest Experience, said in a press release, “This is a major milestone that was years in the making. Before the designs, before the first stitch, before the first button sewn, we took steps to ensure that employee uniforms were safe and of the best quality,”
The STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® label ensures that garments meet or exceed global safety standards regarding harmful substances. Garments are tested down to the threads and dyes used when being certified.
The standard was developed in 1992 by textile research and testing institutes. The testing is known for ensuring that textiles are tested for potentially harmful substances and allergens. Over 1,200 safety tests were conducted on the uniforms.
Jeff Paterson, Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council President of the Association of Flight Attendants, added, “The STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certification is a first for our uniforms. The association is very pleased that our partnership with management has resulted in a high standard of safety that will help flight attendants feel confident in wearing their uniform.”
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