After more than a year and a half of development and design, Delta employees are getting a first look at prototypes of an all-new, modern, and “distinctly Delta” uniform collection – one created with feedback from the airline’s 70,000 uniformed employees (including airport customer service agents, cargo agents, flight attendants, ground equipment mechanics and aircraft technicians) at the center of the design process.
Since 2022, Delta has partnered with GPS Apparel by Gap Inc. to bring the new prototype collection to life. Working with Gap Inc. – an iconic and purpose-led company with a portfolio of globally known brands including Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta – allows Delta to leverage product and design expertise from their 50-plus years of experience in the industry, as well as their scaled platform and extensive sourcing capabilities. Through job shadows, focus groups, surveys, and interviews, the team at Gap Inc. collected feedback from more than 20,000 employees on future uniform designs; that feedback is being used to create prototypes that are comfortable yet elevated, modern yet durable, and above all, functional.
The uniform prototypes are anchored in deep navy blues and rich burgundy, with accents of bright red and white – a return to a more classic color palette inspired by Delta’s brand identity and heritage. With ease of movement, breathability, inclusive fit, durability, and distinct design elements at the core of Delta’s uniform ethos, the collection offers a cohesive and elevated look and allows employees the option to choose between different looks and styles. Garments are made from OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100-certified fabrics and components and are purpose-built for each division and role, with functional elements to help employees do their jobs well and wear their uniforms with pride.
In a further homage to Delta’s brand identity and history, designers incorporated the iconic widget logo across the collection in ways both obvious and subtle. First introduced in 1959, the widget – as seen on the tails of Delta aircraft – represents the spirit and culture of Delta: the flat base symbolizes the airline’s solid foundation, while the top portion points skyward – a reminder to always keep climbing.
Outfitting Delta employees head-to-toe in new uniforms will take some time, though. The airline will begin extensive wear testing for each uniform garment later this fall, giving Delta employees the opportunity to continue to influence the fit, form, and function of the new collection. The roll-in of new uniform pieces across all workgroups is not expected for the next few years.
“Delta has tens of thousands of uniformed employees, all with different needs and preferences,” said Ranjan Goswami, SVP of Customer Experience Design. “That means any evolution of the uniform program will take time and deliberation to get right. We are committed to using this time to listen, learn, and iterate as we work toward a new look – one that reflects and celebrates who we are as Delta.”
