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More than 70,000 American Airlines workers debut new uniforms Tuesday

United’s effort comes after its three biggest U.S. rivals – American, Delta and Southwest – have each already rolled out their own new employee uniforms since 2016.

The look of those carrier’s uniforms generally were well-received, but American ran into unexpected headwinds after some workers complained the new garments were making them sick. American has repeatedly said it could find no evidence linking the uniforms to the reported illnesses, but the subsequent back-and-forth with the union has remained a pain point for the airline since the rollout.

United believes it’s taken steps to make sure its workers are on board with its new options.

The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) that represents United’s cabin crew went so far as to include a staff hygienist in United’s testing of fabrics considered for the uniforms.

Saying the uniforms “are integral to every part of our job,” union spokesman Jeff Heisey added: “When AFA staff participates from the beginning of the process with our experts of staff and our flight attendant representatives, the outcome is better for flight attendants. This uniform rollout is the product of close coordination with the company and union – and we know it will mean a better result for flight attendants.”

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United has leaned heavily on employees for input, sending Reese, Brooks Brothers and Carhartt on frequent trips to United hubs to solicit feedback from the workers they were designing the uniforms for.

Reese credited that employee road shows for “allowing us to talk to so many employees and travel to all the hubs and see the customer-service agents and flight attendants in action.”

She added that the in-person visits, which began in August 2017, helped her and the other designers “understand the job and understand what that required of the clothing. That made the process longer, but it was so important.”

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