LAHORE – Pakistan International Airlines is preparing to take new look into the skies, unveiling HSY-designed cabin crew uniforms ahead of its planned Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner debut on the London–Islamabad route.
Presented in Lahore on October 22, 2026, the collection is scheduled to make its first onboard appearance on flight PK-786 departing London on October 31 and arriving in Islamabad on November 1. The launch gives the national carrier a visible symbol of its wider transformation following partial privatisation, with an Arif Habib Group-led consortium acquiring a majority stake. For passengers, the coming flight is expected to bring together a new aircraft experience and a redesigned cabin crew wardrobe.
Designer Hassan Sheheryar Yasin, better known as HSY, has built the collection around a practical challenge: keeping crew members comfortable through demanding long-haul duties while delivering a polished appearance. Soft, breathable materials are paired with structured cuts intended to allow easy movement and withstand extended wear. The approach puts everyday comfort at the heart of the design, alongside confidence and presentation.
Released photographs show dark and forest green dominating the cabin crew looks. Women’s outfits include tailored tunics or dresses, trousers and coordinated scarves or head coverings, with patterned fabrics and traditional detailing appearing in some versions.
Men’s looks feature mandarin-collar jackets and structured suits. Images of the broader collection also show beige and navy alternatives, as well as options for pilots and ground staff. The designs draw on Pakistani textiles and craftsmanship while adopting contemporary international tailoring.
For HSY, the assignment carries a national significance. He described the collection as an expression of collective pride and Pakistani hospitality, with the aim of helping crew members feel comfortable and confident while presenting the country’s heritage and modern fashion to the world.
The unveiling followed a competitive showcase in Karachi in September 2026, where 10 designers and labels presented their concepts before a jury of fashion and aviation figures. The participants were HSY, Maheen Khan, Deepak and Fahad, Generation, Ismail Farid, Munib Nawaz, Deepak Perwani, Faraz Manan, Amir Adnan and Nomi Ansari.
The judging panel included Khaadi founder and CEO Shamoon Sultan, House of Meeras designer Nilofer Shahid, beauty and styling expert Nabila, Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design vice-chancellor Hina Tayyaba Khalil, and Naseem Tehrani, a PIA aviation veteran with 33 years of experience.
The latest makeover places HSY in a line of prominent designers who have shaped PIA’s appearance over the decades. The airline’s uniforms have evolved from Western-inspired clothing in the 1950s to looks incorporating shalwar kameez and other national influences.
French fashion designer Pierre Cardin delivered one of PIA’s most recognisable collections in 1966. His A-line tunic and distinctive hood helped give the airline an international style identity, with fawn uniforms for summer and moss green for winter. Some Western coverage nicknamed the outfits “PIA Pyjamas”.
British couturier Sir Hardy Amies, renowned for dressing Queen Elizabeth II, also contributed to PIA’s wardrobe during the 1970s, particularly through designs associated with 1975. His work emphasised refined tailoring, with some accounts highlighting folk-inspired elements.
The previous major collection is generally linked to Nomi Ansari and an introduction around 2016. Sania Maskatiya is also credited in some reports with contributing accessories, including scarves.
While some accounts describe the outgoing designs as having been worn for around 12 years, the dates remain approximate. A 2016 introduction would put their service at roughly a decade.
The uniform rollout is timed to coincide with PIA’s planned introduction of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners leased from Norse Atlantic Airways. The initial arrangement reportedly involves two aircraft, with more planned to support long-haul expansion, particularly on UK routes. Each aircraft is reported to offer approximately 358 seats. The wet lease follows an ACMI model, under which the provider supplies the aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance.
Civil Aviation Authority inspections, including an initial inspection in Oslo, reportedly cleared the aircraft for operations. The October 31 service from London is scheduled to mark the Dreamliner’s passenger debut in Pakistan under the arrangement.
The aircraft programme forms part of broader efforts to expand capacity and improve the airline’s service under its new management.
Born in 1976, HSY trained at the Pakistan School of Fashion Design and established his label around 2000. He built his reputation through bridal collections, formal couture and red-carpet dressing, while promoting Pakistani fashion internationally. His career also spans Pakistani television and film, alongside international entertainment work.
His overseas credits include costume design and an acting appearance in the 2025 series Deli Boys. Online reactions to the uniforms have ranged from praise for their cultural references and contemporary styling to calls for greater attention to punctuality and reliability.
