This U.S. Airline Just Made Its Dress Code Stricter
Most airlines have a dress code for passengers, which is included in the legal “contract of carriage” you agree to when you buy a ticket. These policies are generally vague, focusing on bare feet, offensive clothing, and hygiene rather than specific fashion choices like “business casual”.
While the golden age of dressing up for a flight is long gone, airlines maintain basic standards to ensure comfort and safety for all passengers. Common prohibitions include:
- Bare feet: This is a universal “no-go” across almost all airlines for safety and hygiene reasons.
- “Lewd, obscene, or patently offensive” clothing: This is the most common rule. It gives airline staff leeway to determine what is appropriate for a public, family-friendly setting.
- Inadequate clothing: Some airlines specifically mention “see-through clothing” or “exposed breasts, buttocks, or other private parts”.
- Offensive odor/hygiene: Delta’s policy allows staff to remove a passenger if their “conduct, attire, hygiene or odor creates an unreasonable risk of offense to other passengers”.
- Specific items: Hawaiian Airlines explicitly prohibits Speedos and bikini bottoms, while others require “smart casual” attire for business class and above, banning shorts and sportswear in premium cabins.
To avoid being denied boarding, the general consensus from travel experts and flight attendants is to:
- Prioritize comfort and modesty: Opt for loose-fitting, clothing that provides coverage.
- Wear closed-toe shoes: This is a safety recommendation.
- Be mindful of slogans and graphics: A T-shirt with a potentially offensive phrase could lead to an issue.
- Bring layers: Airplanes can get cold, and having a sweater or jacket handy allows you to cover up if your outfit is “inappropriate”.
Ultimately, the enforcement of these rules often comes down to the subjective judgment of the airline staff on duty.