Delta Brand
Employee Uniforms
1934
Line maintenance, and other aircraft maintenance technicians continually in public view, wear khaki shirt and pants. Orange/blue Delta patch is on a black-brimmed khaki hat and over left pocket of shirt and coveralls. Black tie available. Khaki uniforms worn until 1973, with updates to insignia patches through the years.
Those working in overhaul shops and hangars, “. . . can be your own judge as to what to wear. Bear in mind, however, the thought of appearance and neatness, for even in a mechanical job, appearance ‘goes a long way’! Also, you should select your work clothing with Safety in mind.” Source: Employee manual, You and Your Job: Delta Air Lines Maintenance Department, 1946.
1934
Ramp service agents and porters wear slate gray pants and shirt. Orange/blue Delta patch is on a black-brimmed slate gray hat and over left pocket of shirt and coveralls. Black tie. Slate gray uniforms worn until 1973, with updates to insignia patches through the years.
1934
Transportation agents, responsible for ramp crews and directing aircraft, wear a U.S. Navy Dress Blue officer’s uniform – same as public contact “above wing” airport service agents. During World War II, women wear navy blue skirt and jacket. Caps required.
1946
Delta begins regularly scheduled cargo service. Cargo handlers wear same uniform as ramp agents.
1950s-1960s
Ramp and cargo service agents continue to wear slate gray uniform pieces until 1973. Delta-issues cold weather gear: a short gray jacket and a bulky navy blue coat with detachable hood, nicknamed “Big Blue.”
Transportation agents switch from double-breasted naval officers uniform to a single-breasted midnight blue suit in 1961, adding a London Fog black trench coat with zip-in lining in cold/rainy weather.
1950s-1960s
Line maintenance personnel continue to wear regulation Delta uniform of khaki pants and shirt until 1973. Foremen and leads are required to wear a black tie except in the summer.
1973
“Below wing” Airport Customer Service (ACS) uniform is a combination of blues – dark blue pants, knit and woven light blue shirts and optional baseball cap. A light blue striped shirt is soon available. Cold wear gear consists of an “electric” blue jacket trimmed in red and white racing stripes, a heavy blue overcoat and a blue stocking cap.
1973
Aircraft maintenance personnel (TechOps) wear a khaki shirt and chocolate brown pants. A brown pinstriped shirt is soon available. Outerwear includes chocolate brown coveralls, jackets and overcoats.
1980
Uniform program expands style choices. Trendy options include “jean-style” pants cut with a “fashionable, slightly flared leg," an ACS knit shirt with light blue inset and white piping on shoulder, and a “Western shirt” in light blue with simulated pearl buttons for ACS and in khaki for TechOps. Outerwear offers hooded sweatshirt, knit caps and quilted vests. See the uniform catalogs for ACS and TechOps.
1991-2001
New ACS uniform of light blue knit and woven shirts with navy blue pants and outerwear. Reflective logo patches and light gray trim on belt and outerwear assist with safety.
For more information, see this 1991 "Delta's New Family of Uniforms" article and 1999 ACS Uniform Guidelines booklet.
1991-2001
New TechOps uniform of light gray knit and woven shirts with gray pants and outerwear. Woven shirts have red or dark gray pinstripes. A light gray v-neck sweater also available. Reflective logo patches and light gray trim on belt and outerwear.
For details, see this 1991 "Delta's New Family of Uniforms" article and the uniform order sheet.
Early 1990s
By 1993, shorts available for warm weather.
2001-2018
New Below Wing uniform of slate gray pants worn with woven and knit shirts in dark red (ACS) or blue (TechOps). Includes cargo pants, shorts, sweatshirts and insulated coveralls. All-weather garments feature dark red inserts and reflective trim (ACS) or blue inserts and reflective trim (TechOps). Solid black, white or gray T-shirts, or a Delta-issued logo black turtleneck, can be worn under uniform.
2012
Pink uniform pieces may be worn during the month of October, supporting Delta’s partnership with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. By 2015, items include pink polo shirts, a pink long-sleeve t-shirt, black long-sleeve t-shirt and baseball cap with pink logo, pink-trimmed safety vests and pink work gloves.
2018-Present
Delta Below Wing uniforms developed by clothing retailer Lands' End with design inspiration and color consultation from Zac Posen, who designed Delta's 2018 Above Wing uniforms. Skyline Slate pieces ground the collection and include pants, shorts and vests for all work groups. Cruising Cardinal shirts and ANSI Red indicate Ramp and Cargo employees. TechOps and GSE (Ground Support Equipment) employees wear ANSI Yellow and shirts of Skyline Slate with Passport Plum accents. Outerwear jackets have large white DELTA down right sleeve. Smart gloves allow use of touchscreen technology without removing them. Pink baseball caps may be worn in October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.