Delta’s stylish new uniforms and Missoni accessories

Delta Air Lines has unveiled all-new uniforms that it will soon roll out for its flight attendants, gate agents, lounge workers and ground staff, and TPG was on hand when the airline held a fashion show in Atlanta.

Dubbed the “Distinctively Delta Collection,” this new look for the airline’s team members has been a long time coming.

The airline says the new look reflects its “continued commitment to comfort, confidence and connection.” Employees will soon begin “test-wearing” the new uniforms, with a full rollout planned for 2027.

Among the biggest changes: a return to the airline’s signature navy and red colors and an updated employee-favorite wrap dress, plus a new collection for Delta Red Coats (its elite customer service agents) as well as premium service employees like those at Delta One Lounges. It all comes just in time for the airline’s centenary.

“As we turned 100, we heard loud and clear from our employees: We want to go back to our colors from 100 years ago. So it was very important for us to go back to the widget colors. You see it on this plane today, go back to navy blue, go back to red,” Ekrem Dimbiloglu, Delta’s general manager of uniforms and inflight brand experience, told TPG.

While the uniforms are produced by Lands’ End, the set also includes some new accessories from Missoni, the Italian fashion house behind the amenities kits seen in the carrier’s high-end Delta One cabin.

Here’s what we learned on our recent visit to Atlanta to see the new uniforms, meet some of the people behind the process, and learn more about the airline and its employees.

The new ‘Distinctly Delta Collection’ uniforms

Delta hosted a full fashion show at the Newly renovated Delta Flight Museumlocated in the shadow of the airline’s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) home base.

There were 35 Delta employee models and hundreds of Delta workers lined up on the tarmac, not to mention an appearance by Delta CEO Ed Bastian.

“I can’t imagine a better time to launch this as we begin our second century of flight,” Bastian told the crowd.

The ‘Above Wing Core’ Collection

The new look for Delta’s flight attendants and airport customer service agents will harken back to the airline’s classic blue and burgundy colors. Say goodbye to the plum-colored uniforms that passengers see on flights today.

Delta refers to the new shades as “Navigator Navy” and “Boarding Burgundy.”

The biggest cheer came when the new wrap dresses appeared on the runway. There was a lot of angst among employees when designer Richard Tyler’s original 2000s wrap dress was retired, so it was a welcome addition to the collection.

Another notable feature was the inclusion of a maternity version of the various types of uniforms, including for “under the wing” ramp workers.

The ‘Above Wing Elite’ Collection

The “Elite Collection,” which is a new concept for Delta, will be worn by premium service employees in lounges and in flight attendant or service leader positions.

You can even see these elegantly dressed people in priority check-in areas (think of Delta One Check-In Counter at John F. Kennedy International Airport).

“It was really important that our employees who work with our best customers, and those are customers who have booked premium cabins or who, frankly, are loyal to this brand, saw an elevated experience throughout their entire trip,” Dimbiloglu said. “They will see a clear line when it comes to the premium nature of their experience.”

The ‘Above Wing Red Coat’ Collection

Delta’s “Red Coats” have become known for going above and beyond when it comes to the airline’s ground customer service. Red Coat employees were known for having red blazers, but now they have their own entire collection of clothing, all in what the airline calls “Runway Red.”

New additions include cardigans and a red V-neck dress.

The ‘Under the Wing’ Collection

Delta did not overlook the ground crew.

Clothing for bag handlers, ramp workers, technical operations workers, and other “under the wing” workers is completely designed and built with employee feedback on things like deeper pockets and stronger materials.

Jumpsuits were an especially popular new addition.

An expanding partnership with Missoni

While passengers will find bedding and amenity kits from iconic Italian fashion brand Missoni on Delta One, the airline’s flight attendants will get their own new Missoni accessories, such as scarves, ties and pocket squares.

Related: I flew Delta One on the A350-900 to Australia – here’s how I booked it for just 73,000 SkyMiles

There is also a new partnership with sock company Bombas that will feature special Delta brand elements. Unfortunately, there are no images of the new socks yet.

It also comes as Delta is undergoing a major brand overhaul, with the launch of London-based brand agency DixonBaxi. an important update of brand images as Delta celebrates its centennial.

What’s up with Delta’s pink dress?

While we didn’t see it, Delta assures TPG that the pink dress, which the airline gives to employees every October to raise awareness and money to fight breast cancer, will also be renewed.

“A new shade of Poderoso Rosa arrives with this collection, as we continue a 20-year partnership with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation“the airline said in a statement. “Delta people will continue to wear this color with pride every October.”

This all adds up to a farewell to the 2018 Zac Posen-designed uniforms in the signature color of “Passport Plum,” which have received mixed reviews since their debut.

The Delta Flight Museum and a look at the archives

The uniform unveiling took place at Delta’s wonderful Museum of Flight, and a select group of reporters got a behind-the-scenes look at Delta’s uniform archives and other amenities.

Here you have a small sample of the collection.

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CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Related: Delta Air Lines launches new service to Marrakech, Morocco: what the inauguration was like

In a nutshell

The flight attendants gathered at the unveiling seemed very excited about the new uniforms (especially the return of the wrap dress). Hopefully, since most of Delta’s 65,000 employees have given feedback in recent years about their clothing, the new look will be a big hit.

The real test will come in the next year or two, when more and more employees test the uniforms in the real world and see how they perform in daily use. Employees will monitor comfort, durability and safety.

Previous uniforms had many complaints from employees, including poor fit, lack of pockets, and even causing skin reactions and rashes. This time, according to the airline, it was the employees who really drove the design.

“When we were reconsidering this new uniform,” Dimbiloglu explained, “we said, ‘What are our guiding principles?’ And for me, the number one thing was listening to our people and getting that feedback… for me, it was the only way to deliver something to them that they loved and that also met the goal.”

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