Air India Express Unveils Striking New Cabin Crew Uniforms Inspired by India

Air India Express has revealed a fresh new look for its cabin crew, introducing uniforms that combine contemporary airline style with the colours, textiles and cultural heritage of India.

The new uniforms officially began rolling out across the Air India Express network on 1 September 2026, giving cabin crew and other frontline employees a completely refreshed appearance.

For cabin crew, the new look is designed to balance something every airline uniform needs to achieve: style, comfort and practicality during long working days in the air.

Inspired by India

The uniform collection forms part of Air India Express’ “Tales of India” concept, which celebrates the country’s diverse cultural heritage.

Design details take inspiration from traditional Indian textiles and crafts, including Kanjeevaram from Tamil Nadu, Pattu from Himachal Pradesh, Patola from Gujarat, Gamosa from Assam and Bagh from Madhya Pradesh.

The result is distinctly Indian without looking traditional. Contemporary silhouettes inspired by the kurti are combined with tailored jackets and accessories to create a modern airline look.

The colour palette is also unmistakably Air India Express, with Xpress Blue complemented by vibrant Xpress Orange accents.

Designed with Cabin Crew in Mind

One particularly interesting detail is that much of the collection was designed in-house at Air India Express.

Designer Pooja Krishnan led the design of the female cabin crew uniforms as well as uniforms for airport services, aviation security and flight operations teams.

Krishnan has said that the project took around two years, involving extensive work on fabrics, silhouettes, fittings, construction, comfort, movement and functionality.

The men’s cabin crew uniform was developed in collaboration with Tata Group company Trent Limited.

Comfort for Life at 35,000 Feet

Looking good is only part of the challenge when designing a cabin crew uniform.

Crew members spend long hours walking through aircraft cabins, working in galleys, assisting passengers and moving through busy airports. Air India Express therefore selected banana crepe fabric, which the airline says provides breathability, comfort, durability and an elegant drape.

The aim is to give crew a polished appearance while still allowing them to move comfortably throughout demanding flying schedules.

More Than 5,200 Employees Get the New Look

The new uniforms are being introduced across cabin crew, airport services, aviation security and flight operations.

More than 5,200 Air India Express employees are expected to receive the new uniforms. The airline currently has a workforce of around 8,000 employees and operates a fleet of more than 100 aircraft and over 500 flights per day.

For passengers, the new cabin crew uniforms may simply look like a stylish makeover. But for Air India Express, they are also part of a much wider transformation of the airline’s brand and onboard experience.

And for cabin crew enthusiasts, there’s no doubt about it: Air India Express has just introduced one of the most distinctive new airline uniform looks of 2026.

Images © Air India Express

Find & book the best Hotel deals