Delta Flight Attendant Uniforms

1. 1940s Summer Uniform

One of Delta’s prettiest uniforms made by Pan American Uniform Company of Miami, featuring a short, cream Eisenhower-style jacket that was worn over a short sleeve whit cotton blouse with tight pleated front, a slim navy-blue skirt, and a hat by Mae Hanauer of New York.

2. 1950s Summer Uniform

A light blue uniform by Hamilton Tailoring Company of Cincinnati featuring a collarless jacket, a kick-pleat skirt, white V-neck blouse, and a loght blue overseas cap by Mae Hanauer of New York. Navy-and-white stiletto spectator pumps finished the look.

3. 1960s Winter Uniform

Designed by Harry Gilbert of Lady Simpson, this 1960s uniform included a set of two A-line, wool dresses in red and black. A short double-breasted black jacket converted to the black dess into a suit, and a red topcoact and raincoat, black kid gloves, alligator print pumps or boots, and handbag finished the look.

4. 1960s Winter Uniform

Delta’s first Jet Age uniform was designed by eight-time Academy Award winner Edith Head, featuring a shirtwaist dress of honey-beige wool, a leather belt and “jet flame” orange ascot. The uniform was paired with a Chanel-inspired jacket featuring fabric covered buttons and three-quarter length sleeves and a hat designed by Mae Hanauer of New York.

5. 1970s Uniform

Male flight attendants joined cabin crews on board Delta jets in 1973, sporting a wrinkle-free, double-knit polyester navy suit jacket and gray pants with a red/white/blue striped tie by Fashionaire Division of Hart Schaffner & Marx.

6. 1980s Uniform

Back to the basis with Delta’s longest-lived uniform – a professional, tailored suit of tropical wool in navy blue. Designed by Van Lupu for Omniform, this uniform was a classic when it was introduced in 1983.

7. 1990s Uniform

Designed by Van Lupu for Omniform, this uniform update added new an d redesigned items, and the coatdress became an easy-to-wear- favorite. A new Delta crest was embroidered on white shirts and blouses, with a detachable navy collar and serving aprons. Scarves and ties were printed with stripes or geometric shaped, some with touches of green, and flight attendants sported a pre-shaped, cranberry red scarf (or “pocket puff”) in their jacket pocket.

8. 2000s Uniform

An elegant snd professional uniform of Midnight Blue designed by Richard Tyler. The collection features dresses with cinched waists – including the iconic Red Dress for flight attendants, as well as jackets with molded shoulders, torso-lengthening silhouettes and subtle stripes arranged in tringular shapes.

9. 2010s Uniform

This contemporary uniform by New York fashion designer Zac Posen brings together bold color palettes of “Passport Plum” and “Groundspeed Graphite” and classic silhouettes with everyday elevated pieces that include a V-neck dress and three-piece suit.

Upon completion of training, flight attendants earn their wings at a special graduation ceremony as they proudly sport their new Delta uniform – a symbol of their hard work, dedication and readiness to provide customers with the welcoming, elevated, and caring service that sets Delta apart.

“The Delta uniform is an extension of who we are – a globally recognized, premium brand built on a set of core values, including safety, service excellence and reliability,” said Ekrem Dimbiloglu, Managing Director of Onboard Strategy and Experience. “Our people earn the ability to wear these uniforms and represent the Delta brand – which is why we rely so heavily on their feedback when designing them, ensuring that fit and functionality are top of mind.”

In addition to employee feedback and safety considerations, cultural shifts in style and fashion have contributed to how uniforms themselves have changed over the course of 100 years. Uniforms featured throughout the ‘A Hundred Years of Safety’ video include:

More information about Delta’s uniforms throughout the decades can be found on DeltaMuseum.org

© Text & images Delta