ATLANTA— Delta Air Lines (DL) will officially unveil its new flight attendant uniform on November 3, ending a troubled chapter that began when its earlier partnership with Gap Inc. (SFO) was abandoned.
The airline had planned to roll out the Gap-designed collection after years of development, but the prototypes were widely criticized and later deemed unsuitable for safety reasons. Delta (DL) has now turned back to its history for inspiration, reviving classic elements with updated colors and styles.
Photo: DeltaDelta New Flight Attendants’ Uniform
Delta first partnered with San Francisco-based Gap Inc. in 2022 to design a new collection of uniforms through the retailer’s GPS Apparel division, which creates workwear for corporate clients. What followed was a long development process that ended in failure.
The Gap collection debuted in March 2024 with six dress options in deep reds and burgundy tones. Three designs—the flare dress, drape dress, and asymmetrical pleated dress—were quickly scrapped after concerns that their heavy, layered fabric could restrict movement during emergency evacuations.
Initial feedback from both employees and customers was overwhelmingly negative, with comparisons to the dystopian costumes in The Handmaid’s Tale. By January 2025, Delta admitted defeat, announcing it would abandon the entire collection rather than attempt modifications, PYOK reported.
Photo- DeltaLessons From Past Uniform Scandals
The collapse of the Gap collection was not Delta’s first uniform setback. In 2018, the airline rolled out designer Zac Posen’s “Passport Plum” uniforms, which soon became the subject of a “toxic uniform” scandal.
Thousands of employees reported skin reactions, rashes, and respiratory problems they attributed to the garments.
At the height of the crisis, Delta allowed flight attendants to purchase their own clothing and wear it to work. Nearly half the airline’s workforce relied on off-the-rack outfits until new gray stopgap uniforms were introduced in 2023.
Although Passport Plum items are no longer issued, employees who received them before the ban may still wear them. This left Delta with a mismatched uniform program for years, fueling the need for a long-term replacement.
Photo- VistaJet & Delta Airlines; Compiled by Aviation A2ZWhat the New Collection Will Look Like
Delta’s upcoming collection won’t be an entirely new design but rather an evolution of past uniforms, with updated colors and refined tailoring. The airline is bringing back its iconic wrap dress while updating other existing staples.
- The current gray V-neck dress will be redesigned in a dark blue shade.
- The signature shoulder-wing dress will appear in deep burgundy.
- The wrap dress will return, likely in a strong red tone.
This palette move signals a clear departure from the muted gray stopgap uniforms and the controversial Passport Plum era, creating a balance between tradition and modernity.
Rollout Timeline and Wear Testing
While the collection will be officially unveiled on November 3, Delta has not confirmed when flight attendants will begin wearing the new uniforms. A phased rollout is expected, starting with extensive wear testing.
Hundreds of employees will test the garments under real working conditions, a process that could extend well into 2027 before a full rollout is complete.
This cautious approach reflects lessons learned from both the Passport Plum crisis and the failed Gap partnership.
Photo: Delta Air LinesBottom Line
Delta’s (DL) decision to scrap Gap’s (SFO) prototypes and return to its design roots shows the airline’s effort to balance style, practicality, and safety.
By reintroducing familiar silhouettes in fresh colors, Delta is aiming for a uniform that employees can wear with confidence—and without controversy.
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The post Delta Air Lines to Reveal New Flight Attendants Uniform appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
