BY ATARA THENABADU

Ukraine’s biggest budget airline SkyUp has decided to retire the traditional female uniform for a modern alternative. 

The traditional midi skirt and heels combination is being replaced with a more practical uniform from autumn 2021.

SkyUp Airlines has collaborated with Ukrainian fashion brand GUDU to create the SkyUp Champions collection, which includes orange loose-fitting pant suits and white Nike sneakers. 

The uniform change also includes a sky-blue silk scarf that can be worn on the shoulder loop of the jacket and coat instead of around their necks. 

SkyUp’s female flight attendants will also be able to create make-up looks that match their uniforms.

Former Emirates in-flight stewardess Bianca Bremer said that while SkyUp’s uniform change is a good step, more needs to be done. 

“I don’t believe that [current stewardess uniforms] are diverse enough,” she said. 

“From what I have seen, most airlines still have uniforms for women consisting primarily of skirts, blazers, and heels that are not very practical for the duties performed,” she said.

“When I used to fly for Emirates, long pants were an option, but only if you had medical reasons to wear them.” 

By creating more comfortable uniforms for their female employees, they have also made a positive impact on the environment. 

The pantsuits are made from eco-friendly materials and the Nike Air Max 720 is ethically sourced to reduce the company's wastes.

SkyUp Champions aim to provide comfort and drop old-fashioned gendered stereotypes of the aviation industry. 

Flight Attendants Association of Australia spokesmen Lou Nesci said their company also shared these concerns regarding the practicality and cultural appropriation of their uniforms.

“[Female uniforms] we believe are diverse, however [standards regarding] shoes, jewellery, and hair limitations could have more flexibility,” he said. 

“Generally speaking, most airlines allow the crew to change into more appropriate footwear on board the aircraft once the service starts, however, there are limitations on the type of footwear allowed.”

For Ms Bremer, foot pain from heels worn on long-haul flights became a protracted inconvenience.

“I used to feel a lot of pain after long flights and developed a foot condition that allowed me to stop wearing heels during the last months I flew,” she said. 

“The problem is that it was only possible once I already had the issue, heels were mandatory unless you had a medical condition.” 

Mr Nesci said there were comfortable footwear options provided by most airline companies. 

“I believe most airlines adopt a more professional look, which often can be altered by the cabin crew themselves, for comfort and appearance,” Mr Nesci said. 

However, Mr Nesci said more can be done to provide diverse options to fit different body types. 

“It is important that flexibility is given so the crew is allowed to work comfortably,” he said.

“As a union, we have engaged in mediation where [serving flight attendants] have fought to alter their uniform that may not be deemed in line with the uniform dress standard.” 

SkyUp’s new collection has been available since September 1. Competing airlines are yet to follow their path.