Saudia has just announced the rollout of its new cabin crew uniforms, featuring a “refined, new take on the attire” designed for all members of the hospitality team onboard.
Saudia began the preview of the new uniform on the airline’s Paris Charles de Gaulle and London Heathrow routes, with plans to add the rest of the airline’s route network before mid 2021.
The reveal of the new cabin crew overall look and image comes as one of many cabin enhancements and hospitality additions. The new uniforms feature a deep, sophisticated colour palette that includes shades and hues of purple, beige, gold and royal blue. Arabesque designs and accents feature all throughout defined touches, from the pins to the ladies’ scarf, fabrics, signature blazers and more.
Inspiration from the nation’s culture and landscapes influenced the new designs, encompassing the heritage, colours and identity of Saudi Arabia. The finished look feels more hospitality than airline, with nods to that of what would be expected in a 5-star hotel.
The collection was pieced together by a consortium of designers and product specialists within the airline, which took roughly 18 months from design concept phase to launch.
In the development phase of the uniform, Saudia incorporated input from its team members, including their perspectives on: ease of wear, material comfort, and sustainability. The valuable support and insights from the inflight services team contributed immensely to the final product, ensuring that design and practicality coincide harmoniously. The revitalised look extends from the clothing to name badges, cuff links, belts, suit, hat, pin, shoes and travel bags.
Starting initially with the onboard team, the new designs will also be applicable to the ground services team members at airports within the Kingdom and abroad.
TheDesignAir 
It’s an attractive uniform, but all I can think of is what it would be like wearing all those layers of clothing when flying in and out of the blazing heat of ‘The Kingdom’.
Working for Libyan Arab Airlines in the early 80’s I flew in and out of Jeddah and Riyadh and the summer heat was brutal. And as if the heat wasn’t bad enough, Jeddah was often as humid as Mumbai.
When deadheading on Saudia I noticed the cabin service was carried out by the (exclusively) expat female flight attendants, while the Saudi-born male flight attendants lounged around in first class; schmoozing, eating and sleeping.
Frankly, I can’t imagine why anyone who is not Saudi Arabian would ever fly this carrier.