Behind the design: Distinctly Delta collection woven with purpose and pride

Designing a uniform for tens of thousands of our Airport Customer Service, In-Flight and Technical Operations employees is no small feat. It’s a journey that spans years, thousands of touchpoints and countless hours of craftsmanship.  

“We’re not designing for a few,” said Ekrem Dimbiloglu, Managing Director of Uniform and Onboard Brand Experience. “We’re designing for more than 65,000 uniformed employees. That means every age, every size, every skin tone — and our uniforms need to reflect that.”  

“This isn’t fast fashion,” added Thomas Vasseur, Delta Design Lead. “We’re not just recoloring a dress. We’re engineering a collection.” 

The journey began long before the first sketch. It started with Delta’s simple but powerful philosophy: listen, act, listen. From surveys and focus groups to job shadowing and wear tests, the design team prioritized employee feedback at every stage.  

Employees asked for breathable fabrics, better fit across body types and a return to the iconic red and navy palette. The result is a collection that prioritizes comfort, wearability and flexibility. Employees can choose pieces that suit their style and function, ensuring the uniform works as hard as they do.  

Design work started with color selection, fabric sourcing and engineering and performance testing — a process that can take five to six months for just one OEKO-TEX approved roll of fabric.  

“We spent hours in the color room,” Vasseur said. “Every shade had to be tested under aircraft lighting, airport lighting and natural light. Burgundy isn’t just burgundy — it must hold its tone across jackets, sweaters and scarves.” 

Delta’s new uniforms are engineered with stretch, breathable linings and flexibility in every piece. It’s 50% performance, 50% design.  

“From Tech Ops to ticketing, our people are industrial athletes,” said Dimbiloglu. “They’re moving, lifting, leading and serving — all day, every day. This uniform had to be built like performance wear for physically demanding jobs.”

The design team shadowed employees across divisions, gathering feedback from job shadowing, focus groups and wear tests. That feedback led to real changes: new pocket placements, fabric reinforcements and subtle tailoring adjustments.  

“We designed for all teams,” Vasseur said. “Even the blazer lining is perforated for breathability you feel but don’t see. Every decision was made with frontline wearability in mind.”  

Trends come and go, but the iconic Delta Widget is timeless. The new uniforms are rich with thoughtful details that connect employees to the brand — like zipper pulls, jacquard weaves and accessories. Coloration is consistent across garments, down to the metal finishes on zippers and belt buckles that will match wings and name bars.

The redesign also involved blending elements from past collections into a cohesive, brand-aligned look, requiring careful design calibration.  

“Distinctly Delta is not about one item, or one division,” said Vasseur. “This is about unity, elegance and the pride we hold in representing Delta and serving our customers.” 

The reveal is just the beginning. In true Delta fashion, the next phase is about listening — again.

As the new uniforms roll out, Delta will launch a comprehensive wear test program in 2026, inviting employees across divisions to put the collection to work in real-world conditions.

“We’ll be gathering feedback on fit, function and feel — what works, what doesn’t and what can be done better,” said Dimbiloglu. “This isn’t a one-and-done moment. It’s a living, breathing collaboration with our people.”