Out with the old, in with the new at Jetstar as airline prepares for overnight image change

Jetstar is undergoing an overnight image change.

Jetstar is undergoing a dramatic overnight image change with crew to turn out in brand new designer uniforms from Thursday.

A softer orange and blue combination inspired by the sunset through an aircraft window will replace the previous orange and black uniforms worn since Jetstar’s inception in 2004.

Designed by Genevieve Smart and manufactured by Melbourne-based Workwear Group, the new threads will be worn by the carrier’s 6000 frontline staff in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan.

Cabin crew and airport staff will be able to mix and match various items, including blazers in blue or orange, tailored skirts, a shirt dress, tapered trousers, polos and overcoats.

Pilots’ uniforms will switch from the more traditional black to blue, and feature new epaulets and the option of a neck scarf.

Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully said it was an exciting day for the airline’s frontline team with the new uniform “reflecting a new era of low fares flying”.

“With the help of Genevieve Smart, the newly designed collection caters to everyone and gives our crew more freedom to choose what they would like to wear,” said Ms Tully.

Ms Smart said her creative vision was to “infuse the collection with lightness and fluidity, capturing the essence of freedom, movement and endless possibilities. The colour palette was pivotal. We reimagined Jetstar’s iconic orange, pairing it with a sea of blues inspired by sunrises viewed from an aircraft window – symbolising a bold new horizon for Jetstar.”

Jetstar is undergoing an overnight image change with crew turning out in a brand new uniform from Thursday. Picture: Hilary Walker

Old uniforms would not go to landfill, but rather be transformed by BlockTexx into high-grade raw materials such as cotton and polyester.

As well as a new uniform, Jetstar is welcoming its first A320neo this week, which will join new A321neo long range aircraft in the fleet.

With the capacity to carry 188 passengers in an all-economy layout, two more than existing A320s, the A320neo also boasts 40 per cent larger overhead bins, in-seat power sockets and seat back device and cup holders.

“These aircraft are also more fuel efficient, reducing emissions and helping us to offer more low fares across our domestic and international network,” said Ms Tully. “We’re expecting another four A320neos by the middle of next year as part of an ongoing refresh of our narrow and widebody fleet.”

Airbus Asia Pacific president Anand Stanley thanked Jetstar for its “ongoing confidence” in the European manufacturer and its products.

“We are proud that our aircraft have been selected by Jetstar as it builds one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the region,” said Mr Stanley.

The average age of the Jetstar fleet was currently 10.5 years, but that was expected to shrink as more deliveries were made.

In addition to the new narrow bodies, Jetstar was planning to update its Boeing 787 cabin from late next year, to install a bigger business class and add a crew rest area. The work was considered necessary before Jetstar could add new longer haul destinations to its network, including Sri Lanka and India and possibly Africa.

Ms Tully said everything they were doing was intended to help customers fly to more places for less. “We’re on track to again sell more than 12 million fares for under $100 this year,” she said.