United AIirline’s New Uniforms Let Employees Wear Pronouns

Since 2017, the Chicago-based carrier has been working on a mammoth project to completely redesign its employee uniforms.

Source: USA Today

Created by fashion designer Tracy Reese and retailers Brooks Brothers and Carhartt, a sneak peek of the collection was first revealed in 2019.

Source: USA Today

One of the biggest changes is the updated color scheme, which includes purple and teal accents on dresses, ties, and other pieces — deviating from its current blue-dominant uniforms.

Source: USA Today

More than 50 items were created to ensure the uniforms could be used across a wide range of duties and weather conditions, from mechanics working in the Denver snow to ramp agents hauling luggage in Florida’s summer heat.

Source: Insider

While these “below-the-wing” workers have their new uniforms, the customer-facing collection’s full rollout will not happen until 2025. The initial 2020 debut was delayed due to COVID-19.

Source: Insider

In the meantime, United has announced one new design feature that will be seen on workers as it continues its drive for inclusivity.

Source: United Airlines

“This new feature gives our employees the option to celebrate their years of service with our airline while also identifying in the way that feels most true to themselves,” United said.

Other workgroups, including pilots, can wear their pronouns on wings starting in 2025 when the full collection is available.

With the new option, United will become one of the first major airlines to allow employees to wear their pronouns…

United’s new initiative will complement the carrier’s recently updated grooming standards for cabin crew, which changed in 2021 to allow visible tattoos, natural makeup, and nail polish on anyone, regardless of gender.

“This is part of bigger brand evolution, as we shift to a warmer, more human brand where Good Leads The Way,” United told Insider.

In 2019, United announced non-binary gender options when booking a flight, including “U” for undisclosed and “X” for unspecified.

“Fly how you identify,” United said in a March 2019 Twitter post.