After a two-year design process, new Alaska Airlines uniforms by designer Luly Yang premiered at a fashion show held in the company’s Seattle-Tacoma International Airport hangar.
The collection blends modern tailoring with West Coast sensibilities and draws styling cues from Virgin America’s designs following Alaska Airlines’ acquisition of that carrier in December 2016.
The new wardrobe comprises 90 distinct garments intended for use by roughly 19,000 employees across Alaska Airlines, Virgin America and Horizon Air. The rollout is scheduled for late 2019, after the uniforms complete a 60-day staff trial period to ensure fit, comfort and functionality.
“Luly’s designs perfectly capture our fresh, West Coast vibe and we’re absolutely thrilled with the collection,” said Sangita Woerner, vice president of marketing at Alaska Airlines. “Like our refreshed brand launched in early 2016, this uniform collection features bright pops of color, clean lines and refined finishes, delivering a stylish yet approachable look.”
Designer Luly Yang explained that the runway presentation represents a fusion of both company cultures. “What you see on the runway is actually a combination of the two cultures, Alaska and Virgin, coming together. We combine them to make something new and fresh and better than it was before,” she said, emphasizing an intention to honor each brand’s heritage while creating cohesive, modern uniforms that meet the practical needs of airline staff.
The designs were developed with an emphasis on durability, ease of movement and professional appearance, with options suitable for flight attendants, gate agents and support personnel. Materials were chosen to withstand frequent travel and cleaning, while maintaining colorfastness and a polished presentation across long shifts. The palette and silhouettes aim to reflect the airline’s Pacific Northwest roots, offering both vibrant accent pieces and understated staples that can be mixed and matched.
Implementation plans include staged distribution and feedback collection during the trial period to fine-tune sizing, fabric performance and accessory choices. By combining input from frontline employees with industry-standard testing, the airline expects a smoother transition when the new uniforms are introduced fleetwide.
Overall, the collection signals a unified visual identity for the merged carriers while prioritizing comfort and practicality for the workforce. The refreshed look is intended to strengthen brand recognition and convey a contemporary, customer-friendly image as Alaska Airlines continues integrating operations and customer experience across its network.