Cover The rise of disputes over attire has brought new attention to in-flight dress codes and how they affect journeys worldwide. In photo: Dahyun, Nayeon and Jihyo of Twice are seen leaving Gimpo International Airport (Photo: JTBC PLUS/Imazins/Getty Images)
The rise of disputes over attire has brought new attention to in-flight dress codes and how they affect journeys worldwide. In photo: Dahyun, Nayeon and Jihyo of Twice are seen leaving Gimpo International Airport (Photo: JTBC PLUS/Imazins/Getty Images)
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Airlines rarely spell out their rules, yet in-flight dress codes still shape how travellers dress, move and navigate the cabin
Air travel has become a space where personal comfort meets the expectations of shared public behaviour. Airlines rarely publish strict rules, yet passengers still find themselves removed from flights for what they are wearing. This has made in-flight dress codes a subject of renewed interest, particularly as travellers try to balance practicality with respect for others. Clothing that feels appropriate in one setting may be interpreted differently in a cabin, where space is limited and social boundaries shift. Understanding how these expectations formed, who sets them and why enforcement frequently appears inconsistent can help travellers navigate the experience with fewer surprises. Although passengers are unlikely to encounter detailed regulations, the conversation around in-flight dress codes continues to influence how people choose to present themselves at 35,000 feet.
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Airlines say the primary concern is safety and order. Cabin crew must be able to assess passengers quickly, especially during emergencies. Clothing that restricts movement or obscures the face can complicate that process. Some airlines also rely on broad provisions in their conditions of carriage that allow staff to refuse boarding to anyone wearing clothing deemed offensive or inappropriate. This creates space for interpretation when terms like “underdressed” or “unsuitable” are not clearly defined.
What is usually acceptable
Above Jennie of Blackpink departing at Incheon International Airport (Photo: The Fact/Imazins/Getty Images)
Jennie of Blackpink departing at Incheon International Airport (Photo: The Fact/Imazins/Getty Images)
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Most comfortable, casual clothing is permitted. Trainers, T-shirts, hoodies and jeans are typical choices for long-haul flights. Sportswear is common as well, provided it does not include items that could be considered disruptive or unsafe. Layers are encouraged because cabin temperatures shift. None of these choices conflict with in-flight dress codes in their general form, and crew rarely intervene unless a garment clearly violates an airline’s stated policy.
Recent commentary on “dressing respectfully” for flights has suggested a modest return to more formal flying attire, echoing the mid-20th-century approach to travel. In the 1950s, for example, air travel was a luxury, and passengers treated flights as social events: men wore suits, ties and hats, while women typically wore dresses or skirt-and-jacket sets with heels, gloves and coordinated accessories. Flight attendants wore tailored uniforms with knee-length skirts and polished shoes. While airlines today do not formally require this level of dress, officials and media have called for travellers to avoid pyjamas, slippers or overly casual outfits, encouraging clean, tidy and modest clothing that nods to a more polished aesthetic.
Balancing comfort with presentability, many travellers now opt for simple layering, casual businesswear or neat casuals rather than athleisure alone. This approach aligns with contemporary in-flight dress codes while respecting both safety and shared cabin decorum.
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What can cause issues
Above Tripping hazards and generally offensive and revealing outfits are no-nos (Photo: Rawpixel.com/Freepik)
Tripping hazards and generally offensive and revealing outfits are no-nos (Photo: Rawpixel.com/Freepik)
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Problems arise when clothing affects safety or falls under an airline’s definition of inappropriate. Very loose garments, such as floor-length skirts that trail into aisles, can create tripping hazards during boarding. Tops with metal boning or sharp embellishments can complicate the use of seatbelts. Extremely high heels make it harder to evacuate quickly, particularly on slides where stability is essential.
Revealing outfits can prompt intervention if the crew believes they might create tension between passengers. Swimwear, sheer garments or underwear worn as outerwear are common trigger points because some airlines classify them as unsuitable for a shared cabin environment. Clothing with printed profanity or highly charged messaging may also lead to delays if staff anticipate conflict on board.
Certain accessories pose risks as well. Long chains or bulky jewellery can snag on seat fixtures during turbulence. Oversized hats or deep hoods that block the view of a passenger’s face may be questioned since the crew must check responsiveness during safety briefings. Garments that fully cover the face, unless for religious reasons, can draw scrutiny because identification is required during checks. These situations show how interpretations vary and why in-flight dress codes can differ between flights and airlines.
Regional differences in global in-flight dress codes
Above Hwasa at Incheon International Airport (Photo: The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins/Getty Images)
Hwasa at Incheon International Airport (Photo: The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins/Getty Images)
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Regional norms influence how in-flight dress codes are interpreted. In certain Middle Eastern airlines, women may be refused boarding if they wear clothing that exposes legs or arms or is considered too tight, and men may be denied if their shorts expose their legs. Several major US carriers note in their conditions of carriage that passengers must be properly clothed and that garments with obscene or offensive content can result in denied boarding.
Certain Asian carriers outline appearance expectations as well, listing specific clothing that is not allowed for some ticket categories, including beachwear, tank tops, shorts, leggings, flip-flops and garments with explicit wording or imagery. These examples illustrate how airlines adapt appearance standards to reflect cultural expectations and operational policy, which leads to noticeable variation across regions.
Airlines hesitate to publish strict guidelines because they must accommodate diverse passengers. Clear lists can create more complications for staff. As a result, standards remain broad and occasionally ambiguous. This gives crew room to make context-based decisions, although it also results in occasional disputes when travellers feel unclear about the rules. The ongoing discussion around in-flight dress codes shows how flexible these expectations remain.
What to wear to comply with in-flight dress codes
Above Elle Fanning at Nice Airport during the 77th Cannes Film Festival (Photo: Marc Piasecki/GC Images/Getty Images)
Elle Fanning at Nice Airport during the 77th Cannes Film Festival (Photo: Marc Piasecki/GC Images/Getty Images)
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Light, comfortable and functional clothing is a practical approach for most flights. Avoiding garments that might breach general public standards can reduce the likelihood of conflict. Since interpretations differ, keeping a spare layer in a carry-on bag is useful in case the crew requests an adjustment.
Other measures help avoid complications. Slip-on shoes make security checks and cabin movement easier. Clothing made from breathable fabrics reduces discomfort on long-haul routes. Avoiding items with large metal components minimises delays at screening and reduces the chance of snagging on seat hardware. Choosing pockets with zips or secure closures prevents small items from falling into hard-to-reach spaces during turbulence.
Carrying a lightweight scarf or shawl is practical because it can serve as additional cover if needed. Travellers who prefer shorts or sleeveless tops sometimes bring a thin pair of joggers or a long-sleeve layer to adapt to different expectations across regions. These straightforward measures help passengers navigate in-flight dress codes without turning the process into a source of concern.
Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
