American has defended its uniforms, but it received a lot of bad press for months. It finally decided to try to change the narrative by switching uniform providers. That was probably the right decision.
Uniform design received extra attention this week when Asiana flight attendants were heralded as heroes for evacuating flight 214 in pencil skirts and heels, giving the public a rare view into the degree of detail that goes into airlines' operations.
We loved the design and iconography of the new Fiji Airways when it was unveiled last year, and these new funky-yet-locally-inspired uniforms build on it.
United’s designs won’t stop flyers from booking, but their traditional lackluster look hints at a lack of innovation and creativity on deeper executive level.
Loyal flyers will always be resistant to change, but Avianca’s color-conscious and well-thought-out branding is a smarter execution than American’s redesign that left little room for US Airway’s mark.