Flight Attendants Agree You Should Never Wear These Shoes On An Airplane
While you might fuss with your outfit when going to a party or spending a day at the office, you probably don't think twice about what to wear on a flight, where hoodies and joggers reign supreme. But unbeknownst to many, airlines actually do have rules for dressing, with American Airlines forbidding passengers from going barefoot and wearing "offensive clothing," and United barring those who are "not properly clothed," including offensive clothing and being barefoot.
When it comes to people who do wear shoes, it turns out that there's no explicit mandate on what should be worn. As long as your feet aren't totally exposed, you'll be fine. But according to a flight attendant, you may want to skip out on heels. The reason is simple: your safety. "[Heels] make it difficult to quickly evacuate the aircraft, and heels can possibly cause further damage to emergency exits or hurt others if they go flying off somehow," Andrea Fischbach, who works for American Airlines, explained to Who What Wear. "If there is an evacuation and slides are required, your high heels will have to come off, as they can puncture the slide. Who knows where and in what conditions you'll land."
And so while airports have runways, they're perhaps not the place to debut those sky-high stompers. But before you pivot to Crocs or flip-flops as a comfortable alternative, experts advise against wearing them, too.
Flip-flops are also a no-go
While comfort is the name of the game when it comes to airport fashion, veering towards ultra-casual footwear like flip-flops, Crocs, or Birkenstocks might not be the wisest choice. They may help you breeze past security checkpoints, but when it comes to actual flight, they may fall short in terms of delivering true comfort. Not to mention, they may make you more susceptible to getting in contact with germs due to the open design.
"Flip-flops and backless shoes can also end up flying off your feet, and your feet are more likely to freeze, especially during a long flight," Andrea Fischbach told Who What Wear. "Be wary of wearing sandals if you are planning on going in the lavatory. That isn't water on the floor (yes, use your imagination), and sandals invite whatever that liquid is to splash on your feet."
What's more, slippers and sandals may also be a safety risk during emergency situations for the very fact that they hinder your ability to move quickly and safely. "Please wear sensible shoes and leave them on until after takeoff," aviation analyst Mary Schiavo told CNN. "I see people boarding with flip flops and I think if you have to get up and run and you fall down or you can't run, you're not only going to hurt yourself, you're going to hurt dozens of other people on this plane. So get some shoes."
What to wear instead
So what's the safest and most comfortable option, you ask? According to travel influencer Alexa Moore, slip-on sneakers are your best bet. Not only do they make those last-minute dashes to the gate less of a chore, but they're also pretty hassle-free to wear and remove at the TSA checkpoint, even when you're in a hurry. "Laces can complicate things, so slip-on sneakers are by far one of the most comfortable options for air travel," she told InStyle. "Easy to take off at any point in your air travel journey, especially before airport security. But the lack of laces provides all-around comfort for your feet."
However, there's a caveat: Steer clear of brand-new pairs that haven't been properly broken in. Whether it's slip-on sneakers or your go-to running shoes, barely-worn footwear could only lead to discomfort or, worse, blisters. "It's a risk to wear new shoes on a plane because you don't know how or where they will potentially rub on your feet as you move through the airport — especially if you have to hustle to make a connecting flight!" orthopedic surgeon Mauricio Garcia explained to Best Life. "The safer, smarter option is to wear familiar shoes that you know will keep you comfortable and safe throughout your travel."