Aer Lingus Cabin Crew Uniforms: A Stylish History of Ireland’s Iconic Airline Look

Over the decades, ten different uniform designs have graced the aisles of Aer Lingus aircraft, created by some of Ireland’s leading fashion names, as well as designers from further afield. Sybil Connolly, Irene Gilbert, Neillí Mulcahy, Digby Morton, Ib Jorgensen, Paul Costelloe and Louise Kennedy have all helped shape how Aer Lingus presented itself to the world. Here we look back at the stylish evolution of one of aviation’s most recognisable cabin crew wardrobes.

Aer Lingus operated its first flight on May 27, 1936, from Dublin’s Baldonnel Airfield, now known as Casement Aerodrome, to Bristol’s Whitchurch Airport. The aircraft was a De Havilland 84 Dragon biplane named Iolar, meaning “Eagle” in Irish, flown by Captain Eric Armstrong.

At that time, commercial aviation was still in its infancy. Flying was rare, exciting and rather glamorous, but it was also formal. Passengers dressed up. Airlines were expected to project safety, dignity and reliability.

Yet Aer Lingus did not introduce its first official cabin crew uniform until 1945. When it did, the airline turned to one of Ireland’s most important fashion figures: Sybil Connolly.

Used for - EI Uniform — Aer Lingus’ first aircraft, Iolar *(Photo Aer Lingus)*

Sybil Connolly and the First Aer Lingus Uniform

Sybil Connolly, of Pimms, created Aer Lingus’ first official uniform in 1945. It was a toffee-coloured, military-style suit, consisting of a calf-length skirt, a long tailored blazer and a matching hat. The uniform debuted on the airline’s routes to London and Liverpool.

The look was very much in keeping with the conservative post-war period. Europe was emerging from conflict, and the visual language of uniforms still carried strong military influences. For early air hostesses, the uniform needed to convey authority, competency and professionalism. It was smart, serious and structured.

Two airline staff members in vintage brown uniforms smile and pose with outstretched arms in front of an aircraft on a tarmac. — Sybil Connolly’s toffee-coloured suit was the airline’s first ever uniform *(All photos Aer Lingus unless stated)*

But the toffee suit was only the beginning. In 1948, Connolly introduced the first version of what would become Aer Lingus’ most enduring visual signature: green.

The new uniform was a two-piece green tweed suit, worn with a cream blouse. It marked the beginning of Aer Lingus’ long association with green, a colour that would reappear in countless shades over the decades.

It was a clever piece of national branding before airline branding became the carefully choreographed business it is today. A green-clad Aer Lingus hostess did not simply represent an airline. She represented Ireland.

A black and white photograph of a vintage Aer Lingus flight attendant standing at the bottom of an aircraft stairway, smiling and wearing a traditional uniform with a hat, showcasing the airline's branding. — Aer Lingus crew member Lily O’Connell, wearing Sybil Connolly’s 1948 uniform design *(Photo Aer Lingus)*

Irish Haute Couture Takes to the Skies

In 1958, Aer Lingus introduced a new uniform by Irish couturier Irene Gilbert. Gilbert, born in Thurles, was one of Ireland’s first designers to achieve major international recognition. Her clients included Princess Grace of Monaco, and her involvement with Aer Lingus underlined just how seriously the airline treated its image.

Her uniform was an elegant green-and-orange-flecked tweed suit, worn with a lemon-coloured blouse and matching gloves. It was refined, stylish and unmistakably Irish in its use of texture and colour. The tweed gave it a strong national identity, while the lemon blouse added softness and sophistication.

Four female airline staff in vintage uniform, with gloves and hats, smiling and posing together while holding bags at an airport. — Irene Gilbert’s 1958 design was an elegant tweed suit *(Photo Aer Lingus)*

A new look followed in 1963, created by Neillí Mulcahy, one of the founders of the Irish Haute Couture Group and an innovative figure in Irish fashion. Mulcahy’s design consisted of a three-piece St Patrick’s Blue and Fern Green check made from worsted yarn and McNutt tweed from Donegal. It was accompanied by Aer Lingus’ first handbag, in navy, matching the gloves.

This was a wonderfully specific and beautifully Irish uniform. The use of Donegal tweed and the colour references gave it a strong connection to place and tradition, but the cut and styling placed it firmly in the modern airline world of the early 1960s.

By 1966, Irene Gilbert returned to refresh the Aer Lingus look once again. Airline uniforms around the world were becoming more stylish, more fashion-led and, in some cases, far more daring. Gilbert’s new design brought the carrier back to an ivy-green suit in lightweight tweed, paired with a matching topcoat in heavier tweed, a showerproof coat, and a lemon blouse.

It also reflected the fashions of the time, with a mini-skirt style and a Jackie Kennedy-inspired pillbox hat, worn with navy gloves. This was Aer Lingus embracing the 1960s without losing its sense of polish. The look was glamorous, feminine, and modern, yet professional.

Two professional women dressed in vintage airline uniforms. The woman on the left wears a green jacket and skirt with a hat and holds a black handbag. The woman on the right is also in a green outfit with a handbag, smiling and posing against a neutral background. — Neillí Mulcahy’s 1963 uniform (left) and Irene Gilbert’s 1966 refresh (right) *(Photo Aer Lingus)*

The 1970s: Bolder, Brighter and Very Green

Aer Lingus entered the 1970s with designs that reflected the changing mood of aviation. The jet age was in full swing, passenger numbers were rising, and airlines were using uniforms to stand out.

Enter designer Digby Morton, who created one of Aer Lingus’ most memorable looks. The uniform featured a green pinafore dress, extremely bold green stockings and a stylish peaked cap by Frank Saunders.

It was bright, confident and unmistakably of its time. It was also, quite frankly, fabulous. The green stockings alone deserve their place in the history of cabin crew uniforms. Sadly, this iconic look did not last long, but it remains one of the most distinctive Aer Lingus uniforms.

A woman dressed in a vintage green airline uniform, including a fitted jacket, skirt, gloves, and a matching hat, holding a green handbag. — Aer Lingus introduced the Digby Morton uniform in the early 1970s *(Photo Aer Lingus)*

Ib Jorgensen and the Danish Touch

The next major chapter in the Aer Lingus uniform story came from Danish-born designer Ib Jorgensen, who created several outfits over the years.

Jorgensen trained at the Grafton Academy in Dublin and began his career at the house of Nicholas O’Dwyer, where he became a skilled cutter and tailor. It was also at O’Dwyer that he became accustomed to working with the Aer Lingus uniform, giving him a strong understanding of both the airline’s identity and the practical needs of its crew.

His 1975 design brought a coordinated, fashion-conscious approach to the Aer Lingus wardrobe. For the first time, a scarf was included, and the look also featured a flat cap, giving the ensemble a distinctive and stylish silhouette.

Two air hostesses in turquoise uniforms and matching berets, smiling and posing with an Aer Lingus aircraft in the background. — Ib Jorgensen’s first look was introduced in 1975 *(Photo Aer Lingus)*

The 1975 ensemble was updated in 1984 with the introduction of a new summer outfit. The change came after the crew requested lighter, cooler garments for the warmer months.

The new summer pieces were available in porcelain blue or soft jade and could be worn with or without a belt. The dress featured a yoked collar and wide puffed sleeves to the elbow. Made from viscose and polyester, the garments were crease-proof, practical and durable. It was the first Aer Lingus uniform specifically designed for summer wear.

The existing skirt, blouse, and top remained the airline’s winter outfit, while no new garments were introduced for male crew, who continued to wear their pale green winter suit. The summer uniform was manufactured by Robert Janan Limited in Bray and Dolman Fashions in Dublin.

A behind-the-scenes video of the Ib Jorgensen uniform

The 1986 Mini Wardrobe

Ib Jorgensen returned with another Aer Lingus uniform in 1986, formally launched at that year’s Dublin Horse Show. This design took the form of a classically coordinated and comfortable “mini wardrobe”, manufactured and supplied by firms in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Wicklow and Donegal.

The new look featured a classic blazer suit in peacock green-blue tweed from Magee of Donegal. It was worn with a sleeveless wool slip-over, a pleated skirt and a coordinating cardigan, three blouses, an overcoat, and a navy velvet beret.

A smiling woman wearing a teal suit and a black beret, with a patterned scarf and a pin on her jacket, posed against a neutral background. — The 1986 update featured a classic tweed blazer suit and blue beret (Photo Aer Lingus)

The beret was one of those accessories that instantly placed a uniform in its era. It was stylish, slightly continental and very 1980s, but in the best possible way. The overall look was polished and practical, giving the crew a range of pieces that could be worn together while maintaining a consistent image.

This was also an era when airlines began to think more carefully about uniform wardrobes rather than single, fixed outfits. Crew needed flexibility. Routes varied. Seasons changed. Duties differed. A mini wardrobe allowed staff to adapt while still looking unmistakably Aer Lingus.

Ib Jorgensen’s 1986 uniform update

The Boys Finally Get a Fashion Update

In 1988, male front-line staff finally received a significant update to their uniforms. The new male look applied to all front-line employees except pilots, with minor differences between ground staff and cabin crew. Ground staff had stripes on their sleeves, while cabin crew wore stripes only on their epaulettes.

Aer Lingus’ then Chief Hostess-Europe, Liz Howard, explained that the change gave male front-line staff a stronger sense of identity and made it easier for passengers to recognise passenger service employees.

It is an interesting moment in the airline’s uniform history. For much of aviation’s early development, the visual focus was placed heavily on female cabin crew. Their uniforms were discussed, photographed, scrutinised and marketed, while male crew uniforms often received less attention. By the late 1980s, that was beginning to shift. Male crew needed the same strong brand identity as their female colleagues.

A look at the 1988 uniform update for male crew members

Paul Costelloe and the Corporate Polish of the 1990s

Dublin-born designer and artist Paul Costelloe, who also created one of British Airways’s most iconic looks, was next to create a new uniform for Aer Lingus. His summer and winter designs were introduced in 1989 and 1990, marking the airline’s entry into a more modern corporate era.

The outfits paired a straight navy jacket with a green-and-blue striped skirt. Navy became more prominent, giving the uniform a sharper, more business-like feel while still retaining the green tones associated with Aer Lingus.

This was a period of change across airline fashion. The flamboyance of the 1960s and 1970s had largely given way to a more professional, corporate aesthetic. Airlines wanted uniforms that communicated reliability, efficiency and brand consistency. Glamour had not disappeared, but it had been tidied up, buttoned down and sent through a corporate identity manual.

A stylish navy blue women's suit featuring a blazer with a textured blue collar and contrasting turquoise details, paired with a matching striped skirt. — Costelloe’s look was much more corporate and reflected the era well *(Photo Aer Lingus)*

Louise Kennedy and the Teal Green Years

In 1998, after opening flagship designer stores in Dublin and London, Irish fashion powerhouse Louise Kennedy was tasked with creating a new uniform for Aer Lingus.

Her design introduced the now-iconic Teal Green, a shade that would become deeply associated with the airline for more than 20 years. The uniform went on to become the longest-running in Aer Lingus history.

For many passengers, this was the Aer Lingus uniform. It was the look of the airline’s modern Airbus era, transatlantic expansion and growing Dublin hub. It appeared at boarding gates, on aircraft steps, in advertising campaigns and in the travel memories of millions of passengers.

Two flight attendants posing together inside an airplane cabin, showcasing their smart uniforms, with a friendly atmosphere. — Louise Kennedy’s first uniform design became the longest serving in the Irish flag carrier’s history *(Photo Aer Lingus)*

The design was professional, elegant, clean and recognisable. It retained Aer Lingus’ strong green identity, but in a more contemporary shade.

But two decades is a long time in fashion, and an even longer time in cabin crew life. Fabrics age. Cuts date. Working practices change. Crew expectations evolve. By the late 2010s, Aer Lingus was undergoing a broader brand refresh, including a modernised shamrock and updated aircraft livery. The uniform had to move with it.

So once again, the airline turned to Louise Kennedy.

A woman stands beside a mannequin in a room displaying various airline uniform designs on mannequins. The uniforms include different styles in shades of green and navy, with the woman dressed in a black coat. — Kennedy has created two uniform looks for Aer Lingus, spanning almost 30 years *(Photo Aer Lingus)*

Kenmare Green and the Modern Aer Lingus Look

In 2018, Aer Lingus announced that Louise Kennedy would design a new uniform for all front-line staff. The collection was unveiled as part of the airline’s wider brand refresh and entered service in February 2020.

The update was significant. For the first time in Aer Lingus’ history, female crew were given the option of trousers. The new collection also included a dress, only the second in the airline’s uniform history. Grooming standards were updated, too, allowing crew to go a little lighter on make-up as part of a more modern approach.

Green remained the signature colour, but this time in a shade called Kenmare Green. It was paired with Midnight navy to create a more contemporary, premium and versatile look.

The full collection consisted of 25 pieces, giving cabin crew and ground staff a greater variety of styles to choose from. For the male crew, the update included new jackets and coats in smart navy, replacing the old flannel jackets and grey trousers. Easy-care blue shirts and clip-on ties were also introduced.

For female crew, the collection included jackets with three-quarter-length sleeves, skirts, navy tops and cardigans, and a navy hooded showerproof coat. Accessories included a chain-handled navy tote, navy leather shoes with patent toes, ballerina flats for onboard wear and a necktie featuring shamrock motifs.

Speaking at the time, Kennedy said the brief from Aer Lingus had been clear and that her team wanted to deliver a modern, stylish capsule collection that would endure for several years.

The result was a much-needed refresh of the airline’s image. It moved Aer Lingus away from the long-serving teal look while still respecting the carrier’s heritage. It was cleaner, sharper and more flexible, with enough nods to tradition to remain instantly recognisable.

A group of six airline staff members posing together on a riverside walkway, wearing coordinated teal and black uniforms, with modern buildings in the background. — Green remained the signature colour, but this time in a shade called Kenmare Green *(Photo Aer Lingus)*

More Than Just a Uniform

What makes the Aer Lingus uniform story so fascinating is its consistency. Many airlines have changed colours, abandoned national symbols or chased trends that quickly dated. Aer Lingus has evolved while retaining what makes it recognisable.

Green has been the constant thread. From Sybil Connolly’s first green tweed suit in 1948 to Louise Kennedy’s Kenmare Green in 2020, the colour has connected generations of crew. It links the airline to Ireland without needing to shout. It works with the shamrock, the aircraft livery and the airline’s role as a national carrier.

The use of Irish designers has also been central to the story. Connolly, Gilbert, Mulcahy, Costelloe and Kennedy each brought their own interpretation of Irish style, while Jorgensen, though Danish-born, became deeply connected with Irish fashion and Aer Lingus’ visual identity. Each designer left a mark. From toffee-coloured military tailoring to green tweed, from pillbox hats to velvet berets, from teal green to Kenmare Green, the Aer Lingus uniform has remained one of aviation’s most distinctive wardrobes.

Which uniform from all the looks was your favourite?