Malaysia Airlines highlights evolution of iconic ‘sarong kebaya’ uniforms to commemorate 50th anniversary of flights between KL and London

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 1 — Malaysia Airlines proudly presents a showcase of its iconic ‘sarong kebaya‘uniforms – highlighting its evolution since its debut in 1963 – in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the landmark Kuala Lumpur-London route and part of the Heritage in the air campaign.

During the special showcase, cabin crew will wear six different items of clothing Kebaya designs on board select flights from November 3 to 16. A special exhibition will also be set up at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 from November 3 to 14, allowing travelers and visitors to discover the timeless beauty and craftsmanship of all six. sarong kebaya uniforms up close.

Lau Yin May, chief branding and customer experience officer of Malaysia Aviation Group, said Heritage in the air campaign is more than a celebration of 50 years of service to London.

“It is a sincere tribute to the spirit of our country and an opportunity to honor the enduring legacy of Malaysian hospitality. As we commemorate this milestone, we proudly embrace the unity and pride that define our nation.

“This campaign not only highlights our rich national identity and deeply held values, but also underlines our commitment to exceptional service delivery. We are pleased to be able to offer this exclusive experience to our passengers and look forward to continuing to grow our connection to London and beyond.”

Malaysia Airlines embarked on a new journey in 1963 with its cabin crew uniforms, starting with chili red sarong kebaya with a traditional Kutu Baru bodice and nine pleats.

The 1967 design introduced a striking earth-tone pattern, while the 1972 update featured batik motifs to mark a new era for the airline, and in 1976 the uniform featured green, blue and yellow tones, celebrating Malaysia’s natural beauty.

In 1986, the redesign combined traditional batik with Sarawakian kelarai, defined as checkered weaving, a craft passed down through generations in Malaysian culture and Southeast Asia.

In 1992, Italian fashion house Gherardini added local floral patterns to the design. Today, the flow Kebayais recognized as one of the world’s finest cabin crew uniforms.

Updating the 1992 Gherardini iteration with deeper shades of pink and purple, this Kebaya combines bamboo and kelarai motifs with local flowers – champak, jasmine and hibiscus.

This infusion of traditional Malaysian flora and fauna with the art of batik creates a rich tableau that captures the essence of Malaysia.

The uniform’s intricate floral motifs, combined with batik elements, reflect Malaysia’s vibrant cultural tapestry while offering modern functionality.

Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines invites passengers to take part in this milestone celebration by recording and sharing their experiences on social media.

Passengers on board and guests visiting the exhibition at KLIA Terminal 1 can take part in this nostalgic journey by taking photos with the crew and participating in an exclusive social media competition.

To enhance this memorable experience, the airline will provide limited instax photo prints as a keepsake for passengers on select flights, courtesy of Fujifilm.

Passengers are also encouraged to take photos with their personal devices to enter a competition, simply by posting their photos on social media and tagging Malaysia Airlines with the hashtags #malaysiaairlines and #heritageintheskies.

The most creative entry will win two return tickets between Kuala Lumpur and London. Visit the official Malaysia Airlines website for more information.