Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants Sport Uniforms of Decades Past – From Hot Pants to Russian Cossack Dresses – in Fashion Flashback

Pillbox hats, Russian Cossack dresses and hot pants are returning to the nation’s airways thanks to a fashion flashback staged by Alaska Airlines flight attendants in celebration of the airline’s 75-year history.

Starting today, Alaska’s customers will be treated to some of the airline’s most unusual uniforms representing six decades.

The festivities kicked off with a runway fashion show at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport showcasing flight-crew uniforms including a 1950s-era skirt suit with pillbox hat; an arctic parka and ski pants worn during the 1950s and 1960s; a 1960s uniform inspired by Alaska Gold Rush fashions, featuring a long red-velvet skirt and hat trimmed with ostrich feathers; a Russian Cossack red tunic and fur hat worn during the airline’s 1960s Cold War-era flights to the Soviet Union; and hot pants and bell bottoms from the 1970s. Flight attendants will don these and other retro uniforms on select flights through June 30 and surprise travelers on designated days at the airline’s hub airports.

"Pulling classic fashions out of the archives and showcasing these gems on our airplanes and at airports is sure to offer an unexpectedly fun experience for travelers," said Gregg Saretsky, Alaska’s executive vice president of flight and marketing. "We’re proud of the unique relationship our 2,600 flight attendants have with our customers and can think of no better way to celebrate their profession during our 75th anniversary."

In addition to surprising passengers on select flights, flight attendants wearing classic uniforms will greet customers during peak check-in times June 26 at Los Angeles International Airport, June 27 at Portland International Airport and June 28 at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

Alaska Airlines and its sister carrier, Horizon Air, serve 92 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Canada and Mexico. This year Alaska Airlines celebrates its 75th anniversary, marking the airline’s growth from a single-aircraft operation in 1932 to one of the largest U.S. carriers. For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

Note to print media: High-resolution photographs of retro uniforms will be available by 1 p.m. for download from the Alaska Airlines Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

Note to broadcast media: Video b-roll tape is available by contacting Alaska Airlines Corporate Communications at (206) 392-5101. Video includes scenes from the Seattle fashion show, interviews with participating flight attendants and surprised customers, and historical images of flight attendant uniforms.

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SOURCE: Alaska Airlines