The ongoing distaste against the Ozwald Boateng uniform for British Airways continues, after the airline scrapped plans to introduce a contentious necktie-style uniform accessory for female cabin crew and frontline airport staff. The last-minute decision comes just days before the revamped accessory was due to become mandatory and follows widespread feedback from frontline staff who raised concerns about both the appearance and practicality of the revised uniform element. The airline has confirmed that it will now pause further changes while additional discussions take place.
At the centre of the latest controversy was a so-called “twilly” accessory — a narrow strip of fabric derived from luxury fashion heritage — intended to replace an earlier frilled neck scarf. Under the proposed British Airways staff uniform guidelines for the scarf, it was to be worn at the back of the neck, with the ends extended and secured at the front. The design was widely criticised by staff, who felt it closely resembled a traditional necktie and did not align with their expectations for professional female uniform standards.
Staff reaction was swift. Female cabin crew and ground staff described the look as overtly masculine, impractical and at odds with professional comfort standards. The discontent was amplified by other elements of the redesigned uniform, including the replacement of a sheer ivory blouse with a plain white shirt, which staff argued made the overall appearance closer to blue-collar workwear than contemporary airline attire.
According to airline statements, management had already ceased production of the original frilled scarf and distributed the new twilly to frontline managers ahead of the scheduled rollout on February 2. However, the scale and intensity of employee feedback prompted a “last-minute reversal”, with BA confirming it would pause implementation and conduct further consultation with staff to establish acceptable standards for the accessory.
The swift reversal marks another in a series of uniform-related U-turns for the airline in recent months, including a controversial appearance policy earlier in 2025 that appeared to restrict crew from consuming anything but water in public while in uniform, a directive BA later rescinded.
What do you think of the BA uniform? Let us know in the comments.
Cover image credit: Ozwald Boateng
© Confessions of a Trolley Dolly by Dan Air
I feel BA went from one of the most elegant to one of the worst uniforms in the industry. I feel sorry for the female crew in particular who used to look so elegant. On my last BA flight the blouse was see-thru, the necktie looked a mess, the fabric looked all wrinkled. At least the men’s is half decent.
A friend of mine is a CFM and he likes the Male uniform indeed and links fab in it
The whole uniform should be scrapped and a whole new one designed.
Totally agree, James. They should never have changed the uniform in the first place. Daft decision if ever there was!
It all looks a complete cheap, mess for the female staff. The word uniform should not be used to describe it, as there is so many variations, that it doesn’t look ‘uniform’! I used to be BA crew and felt proud as we all look so smart and the same and I’d hate to wear this one. It screams ‘American’ from the sloppiness of the knitwear to the scruffy looking inflight apron! Scrap and have a more traditional redesign!!
Whilst not as bad as the way customers are treated, the sheer arrogance or incompetence or ignorance of BA management is incredible.
Without their inherited LHR slot position and the captive market they have dominance in they’d already have gone out of business
BRING BACK THE JULIEN MACDONALD UNIFORM!