Check out all the Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012
Check out all the Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012
By Kevin Naulls | March 6, 2012
By Kevin Naulls | 03/06/2012
Air Canada uniforms from the 1930s and beyond (Image: David Pike)
Ever wonder what flight attendants and pilots looked like in the 1930s? We were kind of curious, so we took to the Air Canada hangar to check out a uniform retrospective (after we checked out their awesome new airliner). Over the years, Air Canada staff have been dressed like the Jetson family, hip moms who still go to nightclubs and the title character from ’60s–’70s sitcom That Girl. Check out all of the uniforms from 1938 to 2012 in a gallery after the jump.
121279 (Image: David Pike) Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Air-Canada-Uniforms-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Air-Canada-Uniforms.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Air-Canada-Uniforms.jpg 656 437 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/air-canada-uniforms/ air-canada-uniforms 0 0
121311 (Image: David Pike) 2000–2012: male flight attendants receive a jaunty tie Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7135-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7135.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7135.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7135/ _mg_7135 0 0
2000–2012: male flight attendants receive a jaunty tie
121310 (Image: David Pike) 2000–2012: pilot uniform or navy costume? Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7132-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7132.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7132.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7132/ _mg_7132 0 0
2000–2012: pilot uniform or navy costume?
121309 (Image: David Pike) 2000–2012: more women begin to join Air Canada’s staff of pilots Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7127-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7127.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7127.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7127/ _mg_7127 0 0
2000–2012: more women begin to join Air Canada’s staff of pilots
121308 (Image: David Pike) 2000–2012: touchdown Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7121-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7121.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7121.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7121/ _mg_7121 0 0
2000–2012: touchdown
121306 (Image: David Pike) 2000–2012: another neon vest–clad ramp worker Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7119-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7119.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7119.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7119/ _mg_7119 0 0
2000–2012: another neon vest–clad ramp worker
121305 (Image: David Pike) 2000–2012: Celine Dion sported this uniform during her performance for employees in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver. All colours were chosen to reflect the new interiors of Air Canada’s fleet Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7116-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7116.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7116.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7116/ _mg_7116 0 0
2000–2012: Celine Dion sported this uniform during her performance for employees in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver. All colours were chosen to reflect the new interiors of Air Canada’s fleet
121304 (Image: David Pike) 1996–2004: this ramp agent looks striking in a fluorescent vest Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7107-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7107.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7107.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7107/ _mg_7107 0 0
1996–2004: this ramp agent looks striking in a fluorescent vest
121303 (Image: David Pike) 1996-2004: a simple three-piece suit for a male airline agent Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7101-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7101.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7101.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7101/ _mg_7101 0 0
1996-2004: a simple three-piece suit for a male airline agent
121302 (Image: David Pike) 1996–2004: the double-breasted jacket returns Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7099-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7099.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7099.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7099/ _mg_7099 0 0
1996–2004: the double-breasted jacket returns
121301 (Image: David Pike) 1996–2004: this airline agent gets to wear a fun scarf and walkie-talkie Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7091-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7091.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7091.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7091/ _mg_7091 0 0
1996–2004: this airline agent gets to wear a fun scarf and walkie-talkie
121300 (Image: David Pike) 1996–2004: Air Canada’s signature blue became a deep forest green with a maple leaf crest on the breast pocket Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7087-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7087.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7087.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7087/ _mg_7087 0 0
1996–2004: Air Canada’s signature blue became a deep forest green with a maple leaf crest on the breast pocket
121299 (Image: David Pike) 1987–1996: the airline agents even got an upgrade Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7080-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7080.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7080.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7080/ _mg_7080 0 0
1987–1996: the airline agents even got an upgrade
121298 (Image: David Pike) 1987–1996: this flight attendant knows he looks more dapper than the others Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7077-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7077.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7077.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7077/ _mg_7077 0 0
1987–1996: this flight attendant knows he looks more dapper than the others
121297 (Image: David Pike) 1987–1996: a double-breasted suit to celebrate Air Canada’s 50th birthday Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7074-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7074.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7074.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7074/ _mg_7074 0 0
1987–1996: a double-breasted suit to celebrate Air Canada’s 50th birthday
121296 (Image: David Pike) 1987–1996: Leo Chevalier made these dresses to celebrate Air Canada’s 50th birthday. This was also the year that Air Canada became the first airline to ban smoking on its aircraft Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7073-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7073.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7073.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7073/ _mg_7073 0 0
1987–1996: Leo Chevalier made these dresses to celebrate Air Canada’s 50th birthday. This was also the year that Air Canada became the first airline to ban smoking on its aircraft
121295 (Image: David Pike) 1978–1986: this pilot gets to wear a preppy tie Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7058-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7058.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7058.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7058/ _mg_7058 0 0
1978–1986: this pilot gets to wear a preppy tie
121294 (Image: David Pike) 1978–1986: at this time, more and more male flight attendants had been hired, so Air Canada retured to a simpler uniform in navy, red and white Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7048-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7048.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7048.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7048/ _mg_7048 0 0
1978–1986: at this time, more and more male flight attendants had been hired, so Air Canada retured to a simpler uniform in navy, red and white
121293 (Image: David Pike) 1973–1977: a casual turn for Air Canada, this uniform included many styles so flight attendants could mix and match. Designed by Leo Chevalier Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7030-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7030.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7030.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7030/ _mg_7030 0 0
1973–1977: a casual turn for Air Canada, this uniform included many styles so flight attendants could mix and match. Designed by Leo Chevalier
121292 (Image: David Pike) 1970: here’s a somewhat equestrian look that didn’t last very long, with a high-top hat, white gloves and a boxy jacket Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7023-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7023.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7023.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7023/ _mg_7023 0 0
1970: here’s a somewhat equestrian look that didn’t last very long, with a high-top hat, white gloves and a boxy jacket
121291 (Image: David Pike) 1968–1973: this is, of course, a pilot Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7013-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7013.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7013.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7013/ _mg_7013 0 0
1968–1973: this is, of course, a pilot
121290 (Image: David Pike) 1968–1973: and here’s Jane (okay, no more <em>Jetsons</em> jokes) Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7009-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7009.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7009.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7009/ _mg_7009 0 0
1968–1973: and here’s Jane (okay, no more Jetsons jokes)
121307 (Image: David Pike) 1968–1973: introducing Judy Jetson for Air Canada (kidding, but check out this A-line Peter Pan–collared dress) Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7143-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7143.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7143.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7143/ _mg_7143 0 0
1968–1973: introducing Judy Jetson for Air Canada (kidding, but check out this A-line Peter Pan–collared dress)
121289 (Image: David Pike) 1964–1968: ground agents wore beige cotton pants with a tucked-in beige shirt Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7001-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7001.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_7001.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_7001/ _mg_7001 0 0
1964–1968: ground agents wore beige cotton pants with a tucked-in beige shirt
121288 (Image: David Pike) 1964–1968: this is another pilot Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6996-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6996.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6996.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_6996/ _mg_6996 0 0
1964–1968: this is another pilot
121287 (Image: David Pike) 1964–1968: a green wool suit designed by Michel Robichaud, complete with a green or white felt cap, white blouse, calf shoes, kid gloves and a handbag Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6989-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6989.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6989.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_6989/ _mg_6989 0 0
1964–1968: a green wool suit designed by Michel Robichaud, complete with a green or white felt cap, white blouse, calf shoes, kid gloves and a handbag
121286 (Image: David Pike) 1950s: a dressier light blue four-button collarless linen suit with a pencil skirt and short jacket to accentuate the waist. This little number was inspired by Christian Dior runway Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6980-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6980.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6980.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_6980/ _mg_6980 0 0
1950s: a dressier light blue four-button collarless linen suit with a pencil skirt and short jacket to accentuate the waist. This little number was inspired by Christian Dior runway
121285 (Image: David Pike) 1950s: Air Canada moved to a lighter blue with contrasting lapels Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6969-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6969.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6969.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_6969/ _mg_6969 0 0
1950s: Air Canada moved to a lighter blue with contrasting lapels
121284 (Image: David Pike) 1940s: this is a pilot Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6957-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6957.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6957.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_6957/ _mg_6957 0 0
1940s: this is a pilot
121283 (Image: David Pike) 1940s: a navy serge suit with white braiding on the sleeves (and check out those regulation shoes and military-style cap). Designed by Tip Top Tailors Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6948-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6948.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6948.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_6948/ _mg_6948 0 0
1940s: a navy serge suit with white braiding on the sleeves (and check out those regulation shoes and military-style cap). Designed by Tip Top Tailors
121282 (Image: David Pike) 1938: pilots looked like pilots, dammit Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6935-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6935.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6935.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_6935/ _mg_6935 0 0
1938: pilots looked like pilots, dammit
121281 (Image: David Pike) 1938: a sober beige gabardine business suit with a two-button jacket. Purchased off the rack at The Bay Air Canada uniforms from 1938 to 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6931-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6931.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_6931.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/style/air-canada-uniforms/slide/_mg_6931/ _mg_6931 0 0
1938: a sober beige gabardine business suit with a two-button jacket. Purchased off the rack at The Bay
The person doing the commentating is not only boring as hell but also can’t seem to get the photos (or garb) straight. Clearly they have confused the two light blue 50’s flight attendant outfits; the first one, photo 5, with the pill box hat and shift dress was inspired by Dior and photo 6 is the outfit with photo 5’s caption/description. Photo 7 caption says it has a green felt ‘cap’, the cap is unmistakably a pill box hat which is clearly white, if you can’t see that you really shouldn’t be commentating on this stuff. Next we have photo 13 in the 70’s where the caption states the outfit has a ‘high-top hat’, gah, this is clearly meant to be an equestrian skull cap! A top hat is COMPLETELY different and very distinguishable hat, everyone in their right mind knows what a bloody top hat looks like, and it’s not called a ‘high-top hat’.
what a missed opportunity. someone needs to wrench the account from richards simmons, rob ford, bobby brown or whoever has it and hand it over to a grade 3 class. i don’t know any grade 3’s who would take so little pride in their work and appearance. buck up ac…
They should f the uniform updates and focus on better service. Every person I know who has flown AC has nothing good to say.
I wore that green uniform in the 60s with long black leather gloves and the green felt hat. Here I see short white gloves and a white pillbox. What a disappointment.And never with those clunky shoes. Eek!
I was an Air Canada stew from 1969 to 1976, and that uniform in picture 13 was definitely NOT our uniform in 1970. I don’t even think it was a passenger agent uniform, because I remember they wore dresses somewhat like ours except theirs were light green. We went directly from the red white and blue mini dresses (they also had matching pants to wear under the dress in the winter) to the hideous brown, brick red, white and blue mix and match wardrobe in 1973. I can’t tell you how many times friends would see me either leaving for a flight or coming home and ask me why I wasn’t wearing a uniform – because they just didn’t look like a uniform.
The 1969 uniform featured back patent leather pumps of our choice, and included mandatory clip-on black bows that hurt the top of your feet. We also were required to wear hair bows (clip-ins again) and if you were spotted by a supervisor without one there was trouble!
Memories!
I was a stewardess in the 1950’s when you had to be an RN. The uniform was light blue for the summer and navy blue in the winter. I still have pictures. I thought they were quite sharp. Many mooms ago!~~~~~~~Wanda