Created by British fashion designer and tailor Ozwald Boateng, the uniform will be introduced from spring 2023 and features a three-piece suit for men with regular and slim-fit style trousers and dress, skirt and trouser options for women.

A “modern jumpsuit” – which BA claims as an airline first – is also featured, as well as a tunic and hijab option.

According to BA, more than 90% of the garments are produced using sustainable fabric from blends of recycled polyester and only manufacturer members of the “Better Cotton” initiative will be used. 

The airline’s engineers and ground operations agents will be first to wear the new uniform from the spring, while all BA cabin crew, pilots and check-in agents will switch over from their current Julien MacDonald-designed uniform in the summer.

The previous uniform will be handed back by staff and donated to charity or recycled or gifted to the airline’s museum.

BA said Boateng had been developing the uniform since 2018, with more than 1,500 staff across the carrier taking part in workshops to create prototypes.

“Secret trials” during cargo flights around Europe have been taking place over the past six months to make sure each garment is fit for purpose, according to BA, while engineers have been wearing the new uniforms while maintaining aircraft out of sight in Manchester and Cotswold airports. 

During the trials engineers requested easy access tool pockets for when they are working on aircraft, while ground handlers asked for touch-screen technology fabric in their gloves so they can use devices in cold climates without having to remove them.

Sean Doyle, British Airways’ chair and chief executive, said: “Our uniform is an iconic representation of our brand, something that will carry us into our future, representing the very best of modern Britain and helping us deliver a great British original service for our customers.

“From the very start this has been about our people. We wanted to create a uniform collection that our people are proud to wear and with the help of over 1,500 colleagues, we are confident that we have delivered this.”