Summary

  • Find a nice balance between comfort and professionalism when choosing your airplane attire to be respectful to fellow passengers and crew.
  • Remember that airlines have dress codes in place to maintain company image and respect for others sharing the flight.
  • If your attire is questioned, comply with crew instructions politely to avoid being denied boarding and keep cultural differences in mind.

Oh, airplane dress code drama. From barely-dressed passengers being escorted from the plane to trying to crack the code on what to wear to score a free upgrade — or at least land themselves a free drink — the topic of what to wear on a plane is always fun and sometimes controversial. Whether your goal is to be comfortable, stylish, or push the limits of what’s appropriate and allowed, the perspective of someone who flies for a living offers a lot of insight.

I strive for a nice balance between comfortable and professional — not pajamas but not a business suit, either. If I do score that first class seat, I want to look like I semi-belong there. I’ve always wondered what flight attendants think of passenger behavior and, in particular, what their thoughts and hot takes are on what people wear — or don’t wear — on a plane, so I was excited to be able to get a peek into the mind of veteran flight attendant Patricia Green, who graciously answered some of our most burning questions about airline dress code policies.

Dressing inappropriately on a plane probably won’t get you put on the no-fly list, but love the rules or hate the rules, even the best airlines have dress codes, and here’s what a flight attendant has to say about them.

Why A Dress Code, Anyway?

With all the online commentary and social media backlash, it’s important for passengers to understand why there are rules

Solo traveler standing inside the airport lounge while holding a laptop
Photo by Anete Lūsiņa on Unsplash

Solo traveler standing inside the airport lounge while holding a laptop

Sometimes the rules are muddy. Most airlines maintain dress codes, although they vary across carriers and the language is often buried on the airline’s website or the ticket contract. The language isn’t always clear-cut, either, such as “No offensive clothing,” which leaves a lot to interpretation.

It seems like every time we turn around there’s someone making the news about a violation of an airline dress code, such as former Miss Universe and model Olivia Culpo, who made headlines in 2022 for butting heads with American Airlines over her outfit (bike shorts and a sports bra with a sweater).

Our expert flight attendant pointed out, “It used to be a case of if you dressed smartly, you are more likely to get an upgrade, probably not so much now. I think that airlines prefer a dress code of sorts which is just out of respect for fellow passengers and crew.”

As for what the dress code intends? “No one really wants to see people half dressed onboard an aircraft and of course, airlines have very strict rules on company image, so they don’t want to be seen in a bad light.”

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Have You Ever Had To Deal With Dress Code Infractions?

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Cheerful flight attendants having fun in airplane
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Cheerful flight attendants having fun in airplane

Green says she has never had to deal with this type of situation personally, noting, “I worked for a large airline on international routes and we carried a lot of business people. I can imagine it might be a completely different case on low cost charters to holiday destinations.”

Green admitted that there were times she had to step in, saying, “If I did see something that looked wrong, I would politely and discreetly ask for them to cover up or alternatively give them a blanket to cover up.”

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How To Appropriately And Comfortably Dress For A Flight

An expert weighs in on what TO wear

Woman standing in front of flight arrival times at the airport
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Woman standing in front of flight arrival times at the airport 

Green suggests smart casual clothing, nothing too tight or uncomfortable; “Also remember that the air conditioning onboard gets pretty chilly, especially on long-haul flights.”

The flight attendant also shares her personal picks for in-flight clothing for when she travels for leisure.

“I personally wear black clothing as you know that your inflight meal or drink will probably splash on you. I wear some loose-fitting trousers, a black jersey top (comfortable) and a loose cardigan or jacket for warmth and comfortable flat shoes. I carry a scarf/pashmina too in my bag in case I get cold.”

Green also says she considers safety and what’s practical in an emergency, such as not wearing synthetic fabrics, which stick to the skin during a fire, and practical, comfortable shoes that would hold up well in an emergency evacuation situation, adding, “I always think about my personal safety when going on an aircraft.”

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What Should Passengers Not Wear?

Hint: Save the bikini for the beach

A woman meditating on a beach
Photo by Patrick Malleret on Unsplash

A women in lovely printed activewear meditating

“I think the worst thing to see would be a bikini top,” Green shared. “You should not dress for the beach on an aircraft it is just inappropriate.” She goes on to say that she occasionally sees short shorts, tiny skirts and revealing tops, and that this type of attire is not only appropriate on an aircraft but problematic in an emergency situation.

Referencing the evacuation slide where passengers egress in the event of an emergency, Green says “There’s fabric at the bottom of the slide that slows you down and without fabric on your skin you can get a painful graze.”

Still, cabin crew make it a point to deal with any questionable travel outfits tactfully. “We try not to draw attention to the situation,” explained the flight attendant, stating they’ll discreetly ask a scantily clad passenger if they have a jacket or hand them a blanket and hope they “get it.”

Besides, the less skin that’s showing, the less skin will touch potentially germy surfaces on the plane (and there are a lot of dirty places on an aircraft).

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What Not To Do If You’re Approached About Attire

Here’s how to react if clothing doesn’t meet airline standards

Flight attendant showing safety protocols
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Flight attendant showing safety protocols

“You should just comply, it’s that simple,” says Green firmly. “If you act up about it and make a fuss, not only are you making the situation a lot worse, but you could be denied boarding. Also, as a passenger, you should always follow the crew’s instructions. It’s illegal not to and if we are still on the ground, we can have you removed from the aircraft.”

Bottom line, Green advises passengers to dress appropriately for the weather and to keep cultural differences in mind. “I spend a lot of time in the Middle East, I will always dress appropriately for the culture. I think respect for others is important.”

Strive to balance wearing comfortable outfits on the plane with respectful, covered pieces that won’t put your vacation at risk, and the flight will be a better experience for everyone!

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