Australian startup Bonza continues with a series of somewhat random publicity announcements while they wait to actually startup. Last week, the airline released details of what its flight crews would wear. Meanwhile, the previously forecast mid-year start date is now pushed back to September, and the first plane is yet to land.
White sneakers, t-shirts, and no hats for the pilots
It's a smoke and mirrors strategy - distracting with sideshow announcements hoping everyone will forget the big picture, such as has Bonza got its air operator's certificate yet? Is the first plane still on track to land in July? Is there a firm start date for flights? While sorting out this big picture stuff, future Bonza passengers can rest assured that whatever or whenever this happens, flight attendants will be wearing some snappy all-white sneakers.
"We won't dictate what lipstick to wear - or whether you have to wear lipstick at all. We won't ask crew to cover up their tattoos and just because you're female, that doesn't mean you have to wear a skirt. If you're non-binary, pregnant, work in the office, or onboard, we have options for you," said Carly Povey, Bonza's Chief Commercial Officer.
No Captain's hat
There's a well-worn story about how American Airlines once saved forty thousand dollars a year by removing the olive from first class salads. The story got traction because it provided an interesting insight into how a seemingly minute tweak can have significant dollar ramifications. Here's another tip for American Airlines if they need to save some more dollars - follow Bonza's lead and ditch the captain's hat.
"Pilot's uniforms feature a crisp white button-up shirt, tailored pants and charcoal blazer with silver stripes. Pilot uniforms are not exempt from a bit of Bonza personality with the addition of purple lining in the blazer, inside of the shirt collar and on-shirt logo. In a break of tradition, there's no pilot hat. Everyone agreed it was better to pass that saving to our customers," added Ms Povey.
Some science behind Bonza's shtick
Bonza didn't say who "everyone" was or how much going hat-free would save the airline. But starting out as a small low-cost carrier without any critical mass, every dollar will count. Underneath Bonza's very contrived and slightly weird shtick (currently the airline's defining feature), flight crew uniforms have several common characteristics regardless of the airline.
Bonza's flight attendants may be wearing "Australian aviation's first-ever on-trend white custom sneakers and cotton t-shirts," but like any other flight attendant,, those wearables will be designed to allow Bonza's crew to move freely around the aircraft cabin. Generally, flight attendant clothing is fairly firm fitting - you don't want sleeves and cuffs catching on things, especially in an emergency.
Shoes are flat-soled and non-slip. Flight attendant uniforms are usually made of fire retardant fabrics since dealing with any inflight fires is part of their role. Equally, if flight attendants have to manage an on-water evacuation, they don't want to be wearing heavy fabrics that will become waterlogged. There's a bit of a science to flight crew uniforms despite Bonza's best efforts to make them look like it's something fun and slapped together with lots of good times vibes.
Meanwhile, if all stays on track, Bonza expects to receive its first plane (a Boeing 737 MAX 8) in July and anticipates first flights approximately two months later.