With heritage in every hemline, the iconic uniform of Emirates cabin crew is instantly recognised as a symbol of one of the world’s largest international airlines.
From its inception in 1985 to its current iteration in 2025, its cabin crew uniform is both evocative and emotive.
The cabin crew uniform is designed to be iconic and classic, not fast fashion and trends but, rather, in favour of timeless style and sophistication.
The uniform utilises nano-coated fabrics for stain and crease resistance, ensuring it stays immaculate even after long-haul flights.
A spokesman said, “While the uniform style has evolved over time with strategic tweaks, the brand look remains strong, with practicality and comfort placed above all else – allowing cabin crew to maintain high standards of safety.”
Here’s a look back at how the uniform has evolved:
- 1985 – An iconic look is born. In the more-is-more fashion era of 1985, Emirates unveiled its first-ever cabin crew uniform for 80 crew members, in its signature brand colours of red and gold. Female cabin crew were presented with warm sandy-beige, round-bordered jackets with red piping around the edges, and subtle shoulder pads in keeping with the style of the time. Designed in a shade of sunlight on sand, the Emirates cabin crew uniform subtly symbolises the desert dunes of its home nation – the United Arab Emirates.
The skirt at the time was cut straight, hanging just below the knee with one elegant pleat in the middle.
Paired with a cream blouse and a red ribbon tied in a bow around the collar, the look was complete with a red hat featuring the Emirates Arabic logo and a white scarf. The logo in elaborate Arabic calligraphy and elegantly draped cream chiffon scarf reflect the local culture, featuring seven pleats to represent the seven Emirates of the UAE.
In 1985, male and female Emirates cabin crew wore black leather shoes. Male cabin crew and pilots wore a classic grey suit with a red tie, white shirt and gold insignia.
- 1987 – Emirates introduced a refreshed look for female crew members.
The uniform featured a doublebreasted beige jacket with eye-catching gold buttons, a longer skirt with an extended pleat, a white blouse with a subtle Emirates logo pattern, and the signature red hat and veil. Gold remained an important accent to the Emirates look, featured on the very first Emirates aircraft livery and chosen because of its association with Dubai.
Male crew members continued to wear the original 1985 uniform. For both winter and summer, all 180 cabin crew wore a pochette in the pockets that symbolised the flag of the UAE.
By the end of 1987, when Emirates was serving around 11 destinations including Amman, Mumbai, Cairo, Colombo, Delhi, Dhaka, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Karachi, London Gatwick and Male – the team decided to introduce a ‘Summer Safari’ dress for female crew, designed to be lighter and more comfortable for the warmer weather. Complete with structured shoulders, stylish front pockets and a red belt at the waist, the summer safari dress is still relevant in today’s styles.
Female crew in First Class also wore a traditional Arabic dress called a ‘Thoub,’ to serve Arabic coffee and dates, adding a sophisticated cultural touch.
