United Airlines said today it will partner with three major design and apparel companies — Brooks Brothers, Tracy Reese and Carhartt — to create a new line of uniforms for the Chicago-based carrier's more than 70,000 front-line employees.
Additionally, United will partner with high-end luggage manufacturer Tumi to provide luggage for the airline's 24,000 flight attendants.
Noted Kate Gebo, United senior vice president of global customer service delivery and chief customer officer: "We recognized early on that this would not be a 'one size fits all' solution — front-line employees perform vastly different roles and deserve a uniform that meets their needs, created by leaders in the apparel business. Our United family is excited to see how these trusted and innovative brands will deliver world-class uniforms in close collaboration with our employees."
The entire process of designing, testing and manufacturing the new outfits will not be quick. United said the rollout of the new outfits would happen at some point in 2020.
But the protracted process already is underway. Over the past several months, Tracy Reese and representatives from Brooks Brothers and Carhartt have met with employees at all of United's domestic hubs to begin to get a feel for what employees would like to see in the new outfits.
Each of three principal clothiers in the United uniform project bring unique and distinctive aspects to the effort.
Brooks Brothers is America's oldest apparel brand with a heritage dating back 199 years. Brooks Brothers is perhaps most famous for its take on the "preppy look." The company will be charged with designing and manufacturing uniforms for United pilots and male flight attendants and customer service representatives.
For more than 20 years, Tracy Reese has produced female fashion pieces noted for their rich colors and unusual prints. She is particularly known for helping to bring out the fashion sense in women of varying shapes and sizes. Reese will partner with Brooks Brothers to design uniforms for female flight attendants and customer service representatives that will then be manufactured by Brooks Brothers.
The Carhartt brand dates back 130 years. The manufacturer is known for its workwear and outdoor apparel. Carhartt will be responsible for outfitting ramp service, technical operations, and catering operations employees at United. Apparel provider Cintas (NASDAQ: CTAS) will distribute the Carhartt garments.
Veteran travelers need no introduction to Tumi, known for its sleek, well-designed, but pricey range of luggage. United flight attendants will receive their choice of either a two-wheel or four-wheel rollaboard bag.
United is hosting a gathering at Brooks Brothers' flagship store on Madison Avenue in New York City tonight to formally introduce the apparel companies selected to produce the new uniforms and show off examples of the work of each.
United is plunging into this uniform project fully aware of the major problems archrival American Airlines (NASDAQ: AAL) encountered when it rolled out new uniforms last September from Twin Hill, a unit of Men's Wearhouse, which is a division of Tailored Brands (NYSE: TLRD).
Thousands of front-line AA employees began experiencing symptomatic reactions to the outfits ranging from hives and rashes to headaches and severe respiratory issues. In June, AA finally decided to cancel its contract with Twin Hill and begin the long process of getting new uniforms for more than 70,000 employees.
United Airlines is a unit of United Continental Holdings (NYSE; UAL).
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