Hey there, jet-setters!.. What;s up..
Let’s chat about the important but often overlooked aspect of air travel – your outfit. It was just viral couple days back.. passenger of Soutwest Airlines claims she had to make her cover up outfit before flight (Independent.co News). Yeah, you heard it right! What you wear on a plane is more than just about looking good for your Instagram selfies. It’s about comfort, safety, and even health. Flying can be a long, tiring, and sometimes stressful experience, so it’s essential to dress in a way that makes the journey as comfortable as possible. Think loose clothing, layers and breathable fabrics. But it’s not just about coziness. Wearing the right clothing can also help deal with travel emergencies. For example, shoes that are easy to slip on and off at security but also protective in case of an evacuation. So next time you’re jetting off, remember, your travel outfit matters, not just for style, but for a smoother, safer journey.
Air travel is a public experience where people from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and norms interact in a confined environment for a prolonged period. Standards of dress and behaviour for airline passengers are essential to ensure a comfortable and safe journey for all.
The standards of dress for airline passengers are not universally defined but vary based on the airline and the cultural context of the region of operation. Generally, airlines expect passengers to dress in a manner that maintains a level of decency and does not offend or discomfort other passengers. This may range from prohibiting explicit images or text on clothing, to rules against overly revealing attire, bare feet, or offensive odours. Some airlines like United Airlines and Delta Airlines provide guidelines for their passengers, stating that they should dress appropriately and avoid offensive clothing.
When passengers do not meet the established standards of dress, airlines have procedures in place to address these situations. The course of action may involve asking the passenger to cover up, change their attire if possible, or in some cases, even deny boarding if the passenger does not comply.
Airlines concern themselves with the dress standards of the crew and passengers because they contribute to the overall in-flight experience, safety, and brand image. The crew’s uniform is part of the airline’s identity, and it reflects professionalism, authority, and trust. Passengers’ attire, on the other hand, can affect the comfort and experience of other passengers. Additionally, certain attire can pose safety risks, such as loose or heavy metal accessories which could become hazardous in emergencies.
These apply to Airlines staffs and relatives flying in Rebate Tickets;
All staff members and their eligible relatives, including children of any age, when traveling on personal or duty travel concessions, must be neatly dressed and well groomed. Employees and / or nominees are required to be considerate towards others in their attire.
Failure to do so may result in being refused boarding or upgrade. On the day of travel the company, in its absolute discretion will assess suitability to travel.
National Dress of smart appearance is acceptable in all cabins.
Airlines SOP’s examples of attire are intended as a guide:
First Class/ Business Class
- For men – a suit or smart trousers, including cords and a Jacket worn with a shirt and tie.
- A smart collared casual shirt without a tie or a smart jumper may also be worn
- For women – a skirt, dress or trousers and top, worn with a jacket or coat.
- On longer flights it is permissible to change into more comfortable clothing once airborne.
Club / Traveller (economy) Cabins:
- To travel in a more casual style that can include smart jeans and training shoes are allowable.
- On longer flights it is permissible to change into more comfortable clothing once airborne
- For comfort purposes, on longhaul overnight flights it is acceptable to change into a plain , leisure suit once airborne.
Unacceptable Attire
As a guide the following items are considered to be unacceptable for any rebate passenger, including children unless otherwise stated, in any cabin at any time:
- Jeans with cut off / frayed hems or designer holes
- Overly revealing or sheer clothing, including bare midriffs
- Extremes of leisure / sports-wear including track /jogging / warm-up suits / stretch wear (lycra)
- Beach clothing including swimwear / beach footwear
- Clothing with questionable / offensive wording or graphics
- Shorts of any description except for children under 12
There are numerous incidents where airlines had to enforce dress codes. A notable case is that of Southwest Airlines just recently as well as one in 2007, Soutwest asked a passenger to leave the plane due to her revealing outfit (BBC, 2007). In another incident in 2012, American Airlines refused boarding to a passenger wearing a T-shirt with an offensive slogan (New York Times, 2012). These incidents highlight the challenges airlines face in maintaining a balance between individual freedom and collective comfort and decency.
In Short, standards of dress and behaviour for airline passengers play a significant role in ensuring a comfortable, safe, and respectful environment onboard. Airlines should clearly communicate these standards and apply them with sensitivity and respect for cultural differences. Future research could focus on passengers’ perspectives on dress standards and how these standards could be effectively communicated and applied.
Salam Sehat Semangat Sukses
Bambang Purnomo , SS-BA, CSCA, CAVM Solution Consultant
