Flight attendants to get new uniforms as China Airlines unveils modern designs starting September

Reported and photographed by You T-Ru / Taipei


▲ The design of China Airlines’ new uniforms is not yet finalized; the airline stated that it is still under development. (Photo / Provided by China Airlines)

China Airlines is set to roll out an entirely new look — from aircraft exteriors and flight attendant uniforms to in-flight amenities. Following the launch of its “Next Generation” initiative in 2014, the airline has partnered with an international design team to revamp cabin interiors, uniform designs, and service items, in line with the upcoming delivery of its new fleet of B777-300ER aircraft starting this September. At today’s (18th) spring banquet press conference, China Airlines unveiled the design of its future tableware for the first time.

The “Next Generation” initiative has brought together leading designers from various fields across the Chinese-speaking world to craft a fresh new style for China Airlines. With a focus on Eastern aesthetics as the core theme, the project also integrates Taiwanese cultural creativity while emphasizing sustainability and technological advancement. The international design team is led by architect Stanley Chen Rui-Xian, Taiwan’s only designer to have been awarded the “Asia’s Most Influential” honor three times, and who also designed the iconic Eslite Bookstore.


▲ %Ji? The future use of tableware.

Stanley Chen Rui-Xian is renowned for his work on the National Palace Museum’s Sanxitang Hall, the lobbies of the National Concert Hall and National Theater, and the Eslite Bookstore. His designs blend minimalist modern styles with elements of Eastern aesthetics. Fashion and styling designer William Chang, making his cross-industry debut, will design the new flight attendant uniforms for China Airlines. Cultural and creative designers Wang Rong-Wei and Su Yao-Chang are involved in crafting the image of Taiwan’s cultural creative products for the cabin. Chen Chun-Liang, an art designer shortlisted for this year’s Tang Prize — often referred to as the “Eastern Nobel Prize” — among the world’s top ten designers, will give the airline’s in-flight tableware a completely new look. Meanwhile, Ms. Chen Jing-Kuan, who has won Milan’s prestigious Grand Design International Design Award, will create travel accessories for passengers onboard.


▲ Future interior space of the business class cabin on China Airlines’ B777-300ER fleet. (Photo / Provided by China Airlines)


▲ From left to right: Senior Vice President Yu Jian-Bo, President Lin Peng-Liang, China Airlines Chairman Sun Hong-Xiang, Mandarin Airlines Chairman He Han-Ye, and Senior Vice President Yang Chen.

At the press conference, Stanley Chen Rui-Xian showcased the new design-inspired tableware, featuring travel motifs such as airplanes against a clean white backdrop, with Japanese routes presented in lunchboxes infused with the gentle elegance of the Song Dynasty. In addition to tableware, future cabin designs, pillows, and blankets will incorporate products by Wide Table Design. Together with the complete overhaul of flight attendant uniforms, passengers will experience a completely new and distinctive atmosphere and quality starting in September.