Pakistan's PIA Unveils New Crew Uniforms After 10 Years, Internet Says Fix Services First
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has unveiled a new set of cabin crew uniforms as part of an image makeover, but the move has triggered criticism on social media, with users urging the cash-strapped national carrier to focus first on aircraft condition, punctuality, cleanliness and passenger services.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has unveiled a new set of cabin crew uniforms as part of an image makeover, but the move has triggered criticism on social media, with users urging the cash-strapped national carrier to focus first on aircraft condition, punctuality, cleanliness and passenger services.
The new uniforms were showcased at a gala event earlier this month, with PIA saying nine Pakistani designers presented their concepts for the airline's 2026 uniforms on September 16. The initiative seeks to combine contemporary Pakistani fashion with the functional requirements of airline crew attire.
PIA New Uniforms Feature Green, Grey-Blue Designs
The proposed uniforms feature deep forest green and soft grey-blue as the main colours. Designs for male crew members include tailored jackets, trousers and patterned ties, while women's outfits include fitted waistcoats, matching trousers, scarves and caps. Mid-Air Scare: Lahore-Bound PIA Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Saudi Arabia After Technical Alert, Oxygen Masks Deployed Amid Passenger Panic.
The showcase involved prominent Pakistani designers, including Maheen Khan, Deepak and Fahad, Generation, Ismail Farid, Munib Nawaz, Deepak Perwani, Faraz Manan, Amir Adnan, HSY and Nomi Ansari. PIA described the initiative as an effort to bring together "fashion, functionality, identity and purpose" while presenting a new image for the national carrier.
The current PIA uniform was introduced in 2016, meaning the latest redesign comes roughly a decade after the previous change. The final design is expected to be selected after the showcase and judging process before being produced for the airline's fleet.
PIA Unveils New Crew Uniforms
Hear It From the Maestros. ✨✈️
Ten designers. Distinct perspectives. One iconic Pakistani identity.
What inspired their collections? What stories did they want #PIA to carry into the future? And how did they transform those ideas into uniforms designed for a new era?
Go… pic.twitter.com/DIkQdty1lm
— PIA (@Official_PIA) September 19, 2026
Social Media Users Ask PIA to Fix Services First
The uniform launch quickly became a discussion about PIA's broader operational problems rather than fashion. Several social media users questioned whether a new uniform should be a priority while the airline continues to face complaints concerning aircraft facilities, punctuality, customer service and the overall passenger experience.
Some comments specifically called for improvements to aircraft interiors, seats, washroom facilities, cleanliness, in-flight entertainment and other passenger amenities. Others focused on staff professionalism and operational reliability. One recurring theme in the online reaction was that improving the airline's appearance would have limited impact unless passengers also see improvements in the services they receive. Pakistan International Airlines’ Flight Services Hit As Five Aircraft With No Engines Grounded.
Some users also criticised aspects of the designs themselves, including whether the uniforms sufficiently reflected Pakistani cultural identity. Others discussed how PIA should present itself to international passengers.
PIA Asked To Prioritise Clean, Happy Travel Experience
What the hell,do you think will we travel on PIA bcoz you launched a new uniform? Please educate staff, maintain airplanes, ensure https://t.co/gblRPR3lOG your image by stopping smuggling and providing a clean, happy travel experience,We don't care what air hostesses are wearing!
— muhammad.ayyoub.bhatti (@Muhammadayyoubb) September 20, 2026
Punctuality And Customer Service Should Come First
New uniform is secondary! You need to work on the aircrafts facilities, customer service by the crew and punctuality
— M. Kamran Waqar (@mkwaqar) September 19, 2026
PIA Faces Financial and Operational Challenges
The backlash comes as PIA continues efforts to address longstanding financial and operational challenges. According to NDTV, the airline recently added three aircraft to its fleet while also cutting passenger discounts and reducing flight frequencies amid higher jet fuel costs. PIA has also temporarily suspended or adjusted some international services.
The airline's financial position has also been shaped by its recent privatisation process. In December 2025, a consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation acquired a 75% stake in PIA for PKR 135 billion, according to reports. The ownership change followed decades of attempts to move PIA away from state control and address its financial difficulties. The new management's challenge includes improving the airline's commercial performance while addressing operational issues that have affected passenger perceptions.
New Look Comes Amid PIA's Image Makeover
The uniform project is part of a broader effort to give PIA a more contemporary identity. The participation of leading Pakistani designers was intended to link the airline's national identity with modern aviation requirements. However, the online response shows that passengers are also measuring the airline by practical factors such as flight reliability, aircraft condition, cleanliness and customer service. For PIA, the uniform redesign therefore represents only one part of a much wider effort to improve how the airline is perceived and experienced by passengers.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 21, 2026 12:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
