Air India Express weaves India’s magic into every uniform
When a uniform tells a tale, every journey begins a little differently. Some stories are written. Some are woven. And some take to the skies.
For passengers stepping aboard an Air India Express flight in the coming days, there will be something new to notice before the aircraft even leaves the gate. A familiar smile, a warm welcome and the people helping make the journey smoother will now be dressed in a new expression of India.
Air India Express has rolled out new uniforms for its cabin crew and frontline teams across its network, bringing the airline’s Tales of India philosophy from the aircraft tails into the everyday passenger experience.
And it is a story passengers can quite literally see and wear along with the journey.
When India meets the Journey
India has never been short of stories. They live in its colours, fabrics, patterns, crafts and traditions. They travel from one state to another, from bustling cities to quiet towns, and from generations past to the present.
Air India Express has been telling some of these stories through the distinctive tail art on its aircraft, inspired by India’s indigenous art forms, crafts and cultural heritage.
Now, those stories have found a new canvas: the uniform.
The new designs draw inspiration from textiles and traditions including Tamil Nadu’s Kanjeevaram, Himachal Pradesh’s Pattu, Gujarat’s Patola, Assam’s Gamosa and Madhya Pradesh’s Bagh.
So, when a passenger sees a pattern or detail on a cabin crew member’s uniform, it is more than decoration. It is a small reminder that the journey they are taking connects places, people and cultures across India.
A new Xpression for familiar faces
For passengers, some of the most memorable moments of a flight happen before take-off. It could be the cabin crew member greeting a nervous first-time flyer. The airport team helping a family find their way to the gate. A familiar smile when a passenger needs assistance. Or simply that reassuring “welcome aboard” before the aircraft doors close.
These are the people who bring an airline to life.
Air India Express’ new uniforms have been designed with these everyday moments in mind, combining Indian influences with contemporary silhouettes, comfort and functionality.
The look features the airline’s vibrant Xpress Blue, accented with its signature Xpress Orange, creating a visual connection between the people, the aircraft and the wider Air India Express brand.
The result is colourful without being overwhelming, contemporary without losing its Indian character, and practical enough for the people who spend their working days moving through airports and aircraft.
Designed by someone who knows the journey
There is also a personal story behind the new look. The uniforms for female cabin crew, airport services, aviation security and flight operations personnel were designed in-house by Pooja Krishnan, Air India Express’ designer. That matters because designing an airline uniform is not simply about creating something that looks good.
It has to work through a long day of airport walks, boarding processes, passenger interactions and inflight service. It has to be comfortable, durable and functional, while still making the person wearing it feel confident.
The men’s cabin crew uniform was developed in collaboration with Trent Limited.
The uniforms use banana crepe fabric, selected for its breathability, comfort, durability and elegant drape, bringing together the practical realities of airline operations with the visual character of the new designs.
From the aircraft tail to the cabin door
The most charming part of the new uniforms may be the connection they create with the aircraft itself. Air India Express’ Tales of India aircraft carry patterns inspired by different regions of the country. Now, those stories continue inside the aircraft through the people who welcome passengers onboard by creating a subtle continuity.
The story begins at the tail. It continues at the aircraft door. And then it travels with you. For passengers, that could make the next Air India Express journey feel just a little different.
A child may notice the colours. A traveller may recognise a familiar textile pattern from home. Someone flying back to their hometown may spot a design that reminds them of where they grew up and perhaps that is exactly what makes the uniforms special. They do not tell just one story, they tell many.
Sunil Suresh, Head, Marketing, E-Commerce & Loyalty, Air India group, said the uniforms are intended to reflect the energy, professionalism and warmth of Air India Express’ frontline teams while creating a more consistent experience across the airline.
The uniforms, he said, bring together cultural authenticity, comfort and functionality, inspired by the spirit of the Tales of India initiative. For an airline connecting cities and communities across the country, that message feels particularly fitting as every flight has its own story.
There is the passenger travelling home after months away. The family taking its first holiday together. The student flying to a new city. The grandparent visiting a child. The business traveller making the morning connection. The first-time flyer looking out of the window as India slowly disappears beneath the clouds. And there is a cabin crew member standing at the door, welcoming each of them aboard.
Now, they will do so wearing a little piece of India.
The next time you fly Air India Express…
So, when you board an Air India Express flight over the coming days, look a little closer. Look at the colours, the patterns and the details.
You may see Kanjeevaram. You may find a hint of Patola. You may recognise Gamosa. You may discover Bagh. Or you may simply see a bright, contemporary uniform and a familiar face ready to welcome you aboard.
Either way, you are seeing something that has always been at the heart of travel, a story about where we come from, where we are going, and the people who help us get there.
From tails to threads, Air India Express is carrying India with it.
And this time, India is wearing a smile.