American Airlines debuts new uniforms after 'toxic' uniform lawsuit

More than a year since American Airlines employees filed a lawsuit after allegedly experiencing rashes, headaches and respiratory issues following the launch of the airline's new uniforms, employees Monday debuted a brand new line of threads.

"When we set out to create our new uniform collection, the clear goal was to deliver an industry-leading program with the highest levels of safety, input and choice," Brady Byrnes, American's Managing Director of Flight Service Base Operations, said in a statement.

The new uniform collection, manufactured by Lands' End, was created with guidance from employees and an emphasis on comfort, including a choice between a wool-blend or synthetic suiting fabric. The over 1.7 million clothing pieces were tested by an independent certification system to ensure garments don't include hazardous chemicals, the airline said.

Byrnes added: "Today's launch is the culmination of years' worth of input from team members, wear testing in the operation and the highest levels of garment certification. None of this would be possible without the partnership of our union representatives, and, most importantly, the thousands of team members who provided input and feedback along the way. This isn't just a uniform for our team members, it's one that was created by them, and we are excited to turn the page."

Back in 2018, a lawsuit, which named about 40 airline employees, claimed senior management at American became aware of issues with the Twin Hill apparel brand uniforms following safety tests before the new outfits were implemented. The lawsuit contended that "American has knowingly tried to cover up the dangers posed by the the toxic Twin Hill uniforms."

One employee claimed in the suit that the new uniforms were a danger to others.

"I am not able to be around anybody in the new uniforms because the formaldehyde shuts down my respiratory system, and I will need an inhaler, oxygen and EpiPen and I am risking death by being around them," a flight attendant alleged in December 2016, according to the lawsuit.

Lori Bassani, national president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, told USA Today that the organisation received more than 5,000 reports at the time from association members with "health concerns from rashes and hives to severe respiratory issues," adding that "some could not work in proximity to the old uniform." She said the debut Monday of new uniforms was a "momentous day.

"This uniform was borne of much controversy surrounding health issues from the last new uniform roll-out just a few years ago," Bassani said. "I am extremely proud of APFA and American Airlines for addressing this situation that ultimately has led to the safest airline uniform in the industry... Our APFA union representatives were involved every step of the way to ensure that this uniform reached the highest standards, right down to the thread, buttons, and zippers."