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Here's a sneak peek at PIA's new uniforms

Here's a sneak peek at PIA's new uniforms

Nomi Ansari's latest design opens to mixed reviews
Updated 11 Aug, 2016

A new menu, new uniforms, new Premier service; PIA is pulling all stops in its attempt for an image makeover.

Late last month, it was announced that PIA had added three new planes to its fleet, which will be launched on Aug 14th under the banner PIA Premier.

Flight stewardesses of the same exclusive service will get a fashion makeover, dressed in uniforms by Nomi Ansari and a scarf print by Sania Maskatiya. About time too.

In an effort to revamp its doddering antiquated image, a fashion show had been organized in March last year by the authorities at Pakistan International Airlines, showcasing 16 designers’ proposed designs for updated flight crew uniforms. It was planned that the uniforms selected were going to be worn from 14th August 2015 onwards.

The implementation of the designs has been delayed by a year, now to be worn from 14th August of this year. Oh well, we’re used to PIA’s delays.

Nomi Ansari, the designer behind the new uniforms, who also won the design for PIA's uniform last year, shared a picture of PIA Premier flight attendants' redesigned attire.

They are due to make their first appearance in flights bound for London. “There are three color-ways; mushroom-green, navy and maroon. Different hues are going to be worn by the lower ground staff, the cabin crew and the pursers,” Nomi tells Images.

“The shirt has a straight princess-cut and it’s paired with a tailored jacket that can be taken off. The straight pant that we showcased in the fashion show has been replaced by a narrow tailored shalwar. I have also devised the draping and pleating of the head-scarf so that it can be worn under the airhostess- cap, covering the head, and can also be wound round the neck.”

The print of the head-scarf is designed by Sania Maskatiya, taking inspiration from her ‘Uraan’ collection.

“The scarf is made with crepe and there are digitally-printed birds on it and a black and white geometric border,” says the designer. “We have three different colors, for different levels of the staff hierarchy. I have also designed the apron to be worn by the stewardesses and its design emulates my collection ‘Naqsh’. It has a sky-line etched onto it in digital print, featuring the Minaar-e-Pakistan and Quaid-e-Azam’s mausoleum.”

PIA spokesman Danyal Gilani admitted that when they shared a sneak peek of the new uniforms on Twitter, "the response hadn't been great."

Some people aren't too revved about the new uniforms.

But others are.

Including Sharmila Faruqui.

However, he feels the counter feedback is owing to the quality of the picture.

But that's not the only upgrade the new airline airline will see. PIA has also unveiled a new logo for the Premier flight:

Maheen Khan is clearly not a fan.

Shiny designer-made uniforms are all well and good. It is true that the airline staff that represents Pakistan to the world should be well-dressed. But PIA needs so much more than just a peripheral revamp. A lot more new aircrafts and perhaps a new, more improved mindset is required. Come Independence Day this year, the PIA staff may be great to look at. But are they ‘great people to fly with’? Not yet.

Comments

El Cid Aug 11, 2016 09:43am
One should be worried about the condition of the used planes rather than the looks of the uniform.
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SDA Aug 11, 2016 09:48am
Not good. Scarf is to flashy. Should have smaller print.
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Laique Aug 11, 2016 10:01am
By changing the uniform will improve nothing in PIA. The problem of PIA is corruption and incompetent management. I'm sure millions are plundered in changing the uniform.
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Arvindar Kumar Aug 11, 2016 10:17am
same dupatta and shalwar kameez. I thought it would be skirt and some modern western. Pakistan has not changed a lot.
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Alex Aug 11, 2016 10:19am
What a pathetic color combination! Color combination is more appropriate for Qatar Airlines!
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REALITY Aug 11, 2016 10:21am
PIA needs to revamp everything. How about start from old and tired faces first?
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mohsin Aug 11, 2016 10:22am
I dislike the man in suite and the hat - there must be something premiere and Pakistani and not copy. The ladies wear is ok.
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Raj Aug 11, 2016 10:29am
Way better than ours, congratulations!!
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J Ahsan Aug 11, 2016 10:29am
I thought it was Emirates Crew :|
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S A Aug 11, 2016 10:37am
The new uniform looks appropriate, beautiful and graceful. Something good like this should have been designed for the Olympians also to represent Pakistan gracefully.
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mohsin Aug 11, 2016 10:38am
I dislike the man in suite and the hat - there must be something premiere and Pakistani and not copy. The ladies wear is ok.
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The truth Aug 11, 2016 10:59am
Improve service everything will come to you
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Ebrahim Aug 11, 2016 10:59am
Attitude needs change otherwise nice dress is useless, all politically employed showed be reigned.
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mohsin Aug 11, 2016 11:14am
It'll take a lot more than new uniforms to put PIA right.
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Khalid Hussaini Aug 11, 2016 11:15am
Meaning of aircraft from Dictionary.com. Please note plural is also "aircraft" noun, plural aircraft. 1. any machine supported for flight in the air by buoyancy or by the dynamic action of air on its surfaces, especially powered airplanes, gliders, and helicopters.
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Ali Aug 11, 2016 11:16am
The airline that built all the middle east airliners... PIA shall rise again :))
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Xia Aug 11, 2016 11:43am
Qatar Airways + Ethihad airways equals new PIA uniform by the way leased planes with with just Entertainment system doesnt make it primer
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apakmuslim Aug 11, 2016 11:46am
Beautiful ladies. kudos. It should improve the business
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50 Shades of Khaki Aug 11, 2016 12:12pm
@Alex Maybe you did'nt notice the new logo color of PIA premier
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xyz Aug 11, 2016 12:29pm
copied from some arabian arline
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citizen Aug 11, 2016 01:09pm
Not at all impressive..These types of gimmicks cannot save the ailing airlines.
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zooooba Aug 11, 2016 01:30pm
Copied from Emirates and coloured in green which spoils the beauty of it.
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Bokhari Aug 11, 2016 01:32pm
Economy of the designer seems to have considerably improved..
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SN Aug 11, 2016 01:40pm
So PIA basically spends god only knows how much money on the "re-design" which is basically the Emirates uniform... Good job people! Nice to know where your priorities lie...
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Arshad Aug 11, 2016 01:57pm
Look at the # of flights that "Emirates, Etihad & Qatar Airways" is operating every week from Pakistan. It shows the huge traffic of passengers who are travelling on it. We just need.... 1) Professional Management 2) Young & Friendly Cabin Crew 3) Newer Planes & on-time service. I'll see if any foreign carrier can compete us. We are the one who help these airlines to start. DON'T TELL ME THAT WE CANNOT DO IT !
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Mahmood Aug 11, 2016 01:58pm
Same mindset, same attitude, same incompetence, in a different garb? Painting planes in different colors and adding LCD screens, makes it Premier? What happened to Business and First Class which already had such bells and whistles!? Some progress!
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timetostopthis Aug 11, 2016 02:01pm
Who cares what they wear? Just improve the service.
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Jibboo Aug 11, 2016 02:07pm
Emirates crew in disguise?
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Mashallah Aug 11, 2016 02:09pm
Designers have done a magnificent job, I love you Pakistan.
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Taha Aug 11, 2016 02:10pm
Should have used green more More lookslike qatar airways
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Pakistani Aug 11, 2016 02:20pm
Better still, they should have leased the cabin crew from other airlines who are better trained and better skilled to serve the passengers.
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Ijaz Aug 11, 2016 02:24pm
They just need to start treating customers properly. Is that too much to ask?
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white noise Aug 11, 2016 02:56pm
I don't remember PIA staff looking this ugly !!!
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get your priorities right guys Aug 11, 2016 02:56pm
I would prefer decent food and timely departures over this silly business about the uniforms any day!
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ahmedj Aug 11, 2016 03:10pm
@Arvindar Kumar This reminds me the saying which really suits you "kawa chala hans ke chall or apni bhi bhoul gia" meaning, he that apes others will never be himself. Just look at yourself, you can't be them and can't be yourself. You've lost it.
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SSG Wazir Aug 11, 2016 03:43pm
Rising Pakistan. Awesome.
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Shahzad Aug 11, 2016 03:47pm
@El Cid Totally, People are So Annoying sometimes when they talk about FOOD, flight Attendants Beauty As if thats the only Reason they are travelling via Plane.
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Vivek (Indore) Aug 11, 2016 03:49pm
Is this Emirates? With poor color combination.
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Jo Aug 11, 2016 03:49pm
The PIA premier staff in the photo look unhappy. Surely we could find smiling staff!
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Thoroughthinker Aug 11, 2016 03:51pm
Good services do not come with changed attire! You need to change the man inside the uniform. You cannot change the in-built nature merely by changing dresses.
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Ramesh Manghirmalani Aug 11, 2016 03:58pm
Good- PIA needs a change
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Iftikhar Husain Aug 11, 2016 05:04pm
High time some good happening to national carrier. We hope the improvement is kept moving and more good news is coming.
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Yasir Aug 11, 2016 05:24pm
Loads of negativity in comments. At least PIA is trying to improve and we being Pakistani appreciate positive step. At least PIA has started moving in right direction. Best of luck PIA
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abbi Aug 11, 2016 05:30pm
uniform is nice, just bring in fresh new faces.
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Danish Aug 11, 2016 06:21pm
Change mindset not the uniform.
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Amaan Aug 11, 2016 06:35pm
PIA should pay more attention to service and safety,
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OmarFL Aug 11, 2016 06:44pm
Uniforms do not make any difference if the average age of these air hostesses is upwards of mid to late 40s. That is the reality. Many airlines are going towards younger hostesses because IT DOES MAKE a difference to the look. It may apply to male staff also, but not as much I believe.
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Ehsan Aug 11, 2016 06:51pm
Why copy the hat for the women's uniform
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John Aug 11, 2016 07:09pm
Tables have turns, now we are copying Emirates
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Malik Aug 11, 2016 07:25pm
So whatever money left will be spent on the new uniforms. Can someone tell the PIA mgmt that it is not the uniform which needs to be changed, its them.
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jimmy Dossa Aug 11, 2016 07:31pm
J Ahsan, I agree, the uniform is similar to Emirates, there should have been more GREEN in the Uniform.
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Muhammad Aug 11, 2016 07:45pm
@Arvindar Kumar Plz Remind me when Air India adopted skirts and threw away saris?! Shalwar Qameez is the national dress worn by nearly all the women in Pakistan and should be used by air hostesses as it shows the nation's identity. Just like Air India, Biman, Sri Lankan Airlines go with Saris, Malaysian goes with sarong kind of long skirt.
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Agha Ata Aug 11, 2016 08:24pm
The most beautiful things they are wearing are their smiles!
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Roussou Aug 11, 2016 08:41pm
Like the look of new female uniform. Nice combination of colours. The Color of the scarf will look nice with dark blue and beige Color uniform also ( other colours according to levels of seniority). With smart uniform the slack attitude of air hostesses and stewards should also smarten up. Best of luck PIA.
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Chaudhry Aug 11, 2016 08:51pm
@Arvindar Kumar Because it is our cultural dress, and we are proud of it. Gladly we don't have that inferiority complex.
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Mahvesh Mahmud Aug 11, 2016 09:47pm
It's graceful but hould have much more green in it. Should remove the maroon and navy blue stuff - please
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wasif m khan Aug 11, 2016 09:48pm
If they can just teach the stewardesses and many stewards not to pull glasses from the stack by putting their hands inside its a greater achievement than the veneer of new uniforms! I am sure the first flight will be great because all the PIA brass will fill the Business Class and the staff will bend all over in their khidmat!
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Pak Patriot Aug 11, 2016 10:17pm
The uniforms are impressive and can compete with the BIG THREE of the GULF. The photo of the five female stewardesses looks smashing, good smiles and chic girls. The photo of the male and female, looks very down, as if they are at a funeral. SMILE !!! Menu and uniforms are changed for the better. PIA needs to get it's ground operations in gear.
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The End is Near Aug 11, 2016 10:29pm
Service is Zero, PIA is destroyed but uniforms are changing all the time. Wah
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J. A. G Aug 11, 2016 10:36pm
I am more concerned about the service they provide than their uniform, also just get rid of (seniors )fifty and older Air hostesses and pursers who can hardly carry a tray and have no patience .
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Javed Siddiqui Aug 11, 2016 11:34pm
PIA needs to give discounts during non-peak season to grab customers. Most of the other airlines are doing so. I have not traveled on PIA in a long time, because other airlines tickets are cheaper. If PIA can match those, a lot of people will definitely travel with PIA.
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Sadiq Ali Bohra Aug 11, 2016 11:35pm
So they are new haan...... looks like there are some kickbacks involved here to give the contract to this designer. The uniform is the dullest we could ever have.
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Mirza Baig Aug 12, 2016 12:08am
Someone ask PIA to first redesign and upgrade their Website which is from stone age technology. :)
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Anwar Sadiqque Aug 12, 2016 02:14am
The two "real" PIA employees don't look happy. Who is the designer?
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Rizwan Hamid. USA Aug 12, 2016 02:59am
When they change PIA back to an airline instead of the social security and pension benefits program, by firing 70% of it's redundant staff, it's fortunes will change. Til then all superficial changes are meaningless. The logo is beautiful, the dress and it's colors awful. Too old fashioned and looks like an attempt to copy Qatar Airlines, which in it self is the worst uniform in the world. By cutting the staff, maybe then it can add another 50 sorely needed planes. Running an international airline with 25 planes is a joke beyond belief. And a staff of 25,000 odd people to manage these 25 planes has no word yet invented to describe the joke that Pakistan has become.
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imran Aug 12, 2016 04:22am
PIA was a world class airline that even helped to set up Emirates Airline, what on earth happened ?
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Akil Akhtar Aug 12, 2016 04:41am
@Arvindar Kumar Shalwar kameez is our dress not skirt.....
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meh Aug 12, 2016 06:04am
urghhhh . Scarf too ugly and not a fan of the shade of purple. Maheen Khan is absolutely right.
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Alexander Aug 12, 2016 06:46am
@Arvindar Kumar. Why should we have to ape the West in everything. Shalwar kameez is wonderful!
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Cricket lover Aug 12, 2016 07:22am
We need young crew for passengers and need new modern air crafts for the safety of both crew and passengers. Safety first! It is very unfortunate that our government does not pay attention to the appalling conditions of the national carrier. The first move should be to minimize the cost by cutting excess staff hired in PIA and do utmost to end corruption in it. I am not happy with the skill of the tailor who made jacket for male crew. It is too loose and lousy. Especially, arms and waist line. On a suit you need a good smart look. About half inch of the shirt's cuffs should be visible while standing straight. I wish PIA will take my point.
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Javed Aug 12, 2016 09:11am
PIA is a business and it's present head wants to run it like a business. If only the press and politicians will let him do his job, please!
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Azhar Ali Aug 12, 2016 10:19am
New PIA (premier) in formation to serve the elite.
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sfomann Aug 12, 2016 10:37am
Dear Maheen Khan, What is so pretentious and vulgar about this uniform? In fact I thought your design was a little boring.
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Naeem Aug 12, 2016 10:39am
I don’t want to discourage the designer who made this uniform, there must be some instruction given to them to design, but the design is deplorable. It does not have any relation with Pakistan and its culture. This is National Airline and PIA should have promulgated the design on media to have comments from masses. This uniform is more like a cut copy paste operation with no connection or association with Pakistan and its people. As I going through comments one point which also came into my mind that by changing uniform you cant change the environment of inefficiency, unprofessionalism, low quality standards and nonprofessional staff. PIA need to be revamped and fresh blood should be injected in front operation whether it is Air-hostess or front end ground staff. As I see from other comments that majority do not like the attire and I am afraid it will again be changed in near future and will cause another financial loss to PIA.
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Ak Aug 12, 2016 10:55am
What a horrible picture posted on twitter by This Daniyal Gilani dude. Is he trying to kill the enthusiam of this new launch? What kind of manager is he? This clearly shows how i n the world of fierce competition, instead of lifting our brand, he wants to make a poi t that the reaponse wasnt great and maybe he was right in those boardroom meetings. His personal ego is getting in the way of progress. Bea team player, get behind it, find new designers, change it next year, just dont spoil it right now.
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Umer Aug 12, 2016 04:08pm
@Arvindar Kumar Why western? We have our own culture. should be proud!
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sadary Aug 12, 2016 04:47pm
Who did PIA hire to do the men's suits? Looks like someone from Poundland. The suit's cut is outdated, and the fit is pathetically loose. Could have asked me and would have done a better job.
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Albert Aug 12, 2016 07:26pm
Some one made a lots of money on this new uniform!
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phalgun Aug 12, 2016 07:28pm
Pakistani touch .. Copy from Qatar airways !!
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akhtar mir Aug 13, 2016 02:02pm
. PIA cabin and customer services staff must improve. good uniform , hundred of thousands Dollars spent and obviously lots on commissions earned but service comes first.
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akhtar mir Aug 13, 2016 02:03pm
agreed, but it is easier to make money in awarding new uniform contract.
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Majida Aug 13, 2016 02:37pm
@Arvindar Kumar Air India still got Sari
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Anna Aug 13, 2016 05:58pm
@Akil Akhtar In India Air-Hostesses of Private Airlines wear Short Skirts and Shirts or Jackets above them and look very attractive.
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Waheed Khan Aug 13, 2016 09:23pm
Nomi Ansari just copy pasted emirates uniform.
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V.Bhatia Aug 14, 2016 06:18am
Lovely ladies shabby uniforms . The uniforms look more apropos for prison guards than flight attendants. Give me a break PIA.
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V.Bhatia Aug 14, 2016 06:21am
Air India flight attendants in Saris look ever so graceful. PIA could've adopted saris or even kurta and churidars. Their present choice looks awful.
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Habib Aug 14, 2016 09:17pm
Once image of PIA change for good will start travelling agian with PIA inshAllah to show our love to our country
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Ranadhir Mukhopadhyay Aug 15, 2016 11:05am
Very difficult to differentiate from other Arabic airlines. Pakistan is no Arabs, it is modern nation. Pakistan's rich Urdu culture and modern outlook should have been reflected in new dress. An opportunity lost
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kumar Aug 15, 2016 12:46pm
Wow can still see the face. Did the CII approve this dress code.
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kumar Aug 15, 2016 12:47pm
@Arvindar Kumar You can stii see the face. That is conisdered very progressive. What more do you expect.
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