
On January 22, 2025, Spirit Airlines revised their dress code for passengers. No longer will passengers be allowed to board a flight if they are barefoot or inadequately clothed (i.e., see-through clothing; not adequately covered; exposed breasts, buttocks, or other private parts), or whose clothing or article, including body art, is lewd, obscene, or offensive in nature. It begs the question on how many people came barefoot that they had to single that out.
This started me down the rabbit hole of what happened to how people dress in our society. My parents told me that when they started to travel, people would dress up for it. This included men in jackets and ties and woman in dresses. We have come a long way. Now airlines have to say you need to wear shoes!!
While our society has become more casual, people traveling have gone to extremes in what they wear. It seems that people do not care the impact their clothes or style may have on other passengers or staff. As a result, airlines have dress codes to ensure a comfortable and respectful environment for all passengers. While specific rules may vary slightly, here’s a general overview of dress code policies for some major US airlines:
Delta Air Lines:
- Key Considerations: Delta emphasizes that clothing must be “appropriate for air travel.”
- Prohibited Attire:
- Clothing considered lewd, obscene, or offensive.
- Clothing that exposes private areas.
- Clothing that poses a safety hazard (e.g., clothing that could get caught in machinery).
American Airlines:
- Key Considerations: American Airlines focuses on maintaining a “safe and comfortable environment” for all passengers.
- Prohibited Attire:
- Clothing considered lewd, obscene, or offensive.
- Clothing that exposes private areas.
- Clothing that could disrupt the flight or pose a safety risk.
JetBlue Airways:
- Key Considerations: JetBlue emphasizes a “casual and comfortable” environment.
- Prohibited Attire:
- Clothing considered lewd, obscene, or offensive.
- Clothing that exposes private areas.
- Clothing that poses a safety hazard.
Southwest Airlines:
- Key Considerations: Southwest Airlines encourages comfortable travel attire.
- Prohibited Attire:
- Clothing considered lewd, obscene, or offensive.
- Clothing that exposes private areas.
- Clothing that could disrupt the flight or pose a safety risk.
Spirit Airlines:
- Key Considerations: Spirit Airlines has a more relaxed dress code.
- Prohibited Attire:
- Barefoot
- Inadequately clothed (i.e., see-through clothing; not adequately covered; exposed breasts, buttocks, or other private parts)
- Clothing considered lewd, obscene, or offensive.
- Clothing that exposes private areas.
- Clothing that poses a safety hazard.
General Tips for All Airlines:
- Comfort is Key: Choose comfortable clothing that allows for movement, especially on long flights.
- Footwear is Generally Required: Flip-flops and sandals are often acceptable, but may be restricted in some cases.
- Layers are Your Friend: Airplane cabins can get chilly.
- Maintain Good Hygiene: Strong odors may be grounds for refusal of boarding.
- Check Airline Websites: Always refer to the specific airline’s website or contract of carriage for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding their dress code policies.