Bring Back Airport Etiquette

Everyone seemed to understand the dress code: men wore jackets and ties, women wore skirts, nylons, and sometimes even gloves. Air travel was rare and expensive, and passengers dressed for the occasion—more “transatlantic debut” than “late for a connection.”

Today, that unspoken agreement to look presentable seems to have missed its connecting flight. On any given morning, you’ll see one traveler in a tailored blazer, another in fuzzy slippers and pajamas, and a third performing a full skincare routine mid-flight with a sheet mask and socks rolled into their hair like curlers. Few places reveal the collapse of a shared dress code quite like an airport terminal.

Few places reveal the collapse of a shared dress code quite like an airport terminal.

So how did we get here, and what does modern etiquette say about what’s appropriate to wear when you fly?

When Flying Was a Formal Affair

In the 1950s and ’60s, the “Golden Age of Air Travel” wasn’t just about better service, it was about presentation. Flying was a luxury, an experience reserved for the few who could afford it. Airlines expected passengers to look “presentable,” which generally meant polished, pressed, and proper. Women often wore dresses or suits with coordinated accessories; men wore ties and polished shoes.

Flight attendants, then called “stewardesses,” were subject to even stricter standards. Many airlines enforced regular weigh-ins and required attendants to maintain specific body measurements, haircuts, and even lipstick shades. They were forbidden from wearing glasses or being married. Their uniforms were tailored to perfection, and their poise was considered part of the brand.

The entire experience projected glamour. Champagne was poured into crystal, meals were served on china, and air travel was treated like a social event, not a commute.

The Casual Revolution

By the 1980s and ’90s, air travel had become democratized. More affordable fares meant that almost anyone could fly, and with accessibility came a natural relaxation of formality. Jeans replaced suits; sneakers replaced heels.

Then came the 2000s, and comfort culture took off. Athleisure, stretchy fabrics, and all-day yoga pants became not just acceptable but celebrated. Social media fueled a new category: the airport fit. Celebrities began dressing intentionally for paparazzi shots between terminals, while everyday travelers followed suit—sometimes literally, but more often in matching sweatsuits and slides.

By the 2020s, influencer culture had swung the pendulum even further. On TikTok and Instagram, you’ll find travelers boarding flights with their hair wrapped in heatless curls, jade-rolling through turbulence, or performing 10-step skincare routines while the cabin lights dim. It’s part entertainment, part self-care, but also a striking visual contrast to the flight attendants still walking the aisles in pressed uniforms and heels.

A Wider Gap Than You See Anywhere Else

In few other spaces does the contrast between staff and customer appear so stark. Flight attendants on many airlines still follow strict grooming codes: natural nail colors, minimal jewelry, tidy hairstyles, neat uniforms, closed-toe shoes, and specific makeup palettes. Passengers, meanwhile, now range from polished professionals to pajama-clad wanderers.

You’d never walk into a restaurant where your server is in a three-piece suit and you’re in sweatpants, but that’s often what air travel looks like today.

You’d never walk into a restaurant where your server is in a three-piece suit and you’re in sweatpants, but that’s often what air travel looks like today.

This isn’t about judgment; it’s about awareness. Etiquette asks us to consider not only how we feel but also how we make others feel in shared spaces. The flight attendants, the passengers beside you, even the person sitting across the aisle—they’re all part of the same temporary community.

What Airlines Still Require

While there’s generally no formal dress code for paying passengers, certain standards remain. Major airlines still reserve the right to deny boarding to anyone wearing clothing deemed offensive or overly revealing.

But for those flying on companion passes—the family and friends of airline employees—expectations are far more specific. Airlines like Delta, American, and United require business-casual attire: no leggings, ripped jeans, flip-flops, or midriff-baring tops. The reason is simple: anyone traveling on a company-issued ticket is considered a reflection of the airline itself.

And for the flight attendants themselves, presentation remains paramount. Even in an era of inclusivity and comfort, their uniforms are pressed, their shoes shined, and their grooming immaculate. They represent the last vestige of the formality that once defined the skies.

What Modern Etiquette Says

The goal isn’t to resurrect mid-century fashion; it’s to revive mid-century thoughtfulness. You can absolutely dress comfortably for travel while still appearing polished and considerate.

Aim for comfort that still looks intentional; more “ready for an upgrade” than “ready for a nap.”

• Fabrics: Choose soft, breathable materials that move with you but don’t cling or wrinkle easily.

• Fit: Tailored joggers, knit sets, or soft blazers read as composed without being constricting.

• Footwear: Closed-toe shoes are best for hygiene, safety, and a touch of polish.

• Layers: Airplanes run cold; a wrap, cardigan, or lightweight jacket looks elegant and practical.

• Fragrance: Keep scents subtle; what smells divine to you may overwhelm your seatmate.

• Mindset: Dress as if you might be upgraded or run into someone important at baggage claim.

Why It Matters

What we wear influences how we act. When we look put together, we tend to behave more thoughtfully. And when we treat travel as a shared experience rather than a private one, everyone’s experience improves.

Etiquette isn’t about returning to old-fashioned glamour; it’s about restoring a sense of mutual respect in the spaces we share. The flight attendant who greets you at the door is still upholding that tradition. The question is: are we?

Grace at 30,000 Feet

You don’t have to dress like you’re meeting royalty, but maybe not like you just rolled off the couch either. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s presence.

Because in a world that prizes comfort above all else, choosing to look a little more polished isn’t pretentious, it’s gracious. And good manners, much like a well-packed carry-on, never go out of style.

If you have a question for a future Ask Alison segment, kindly email info@elevateetiquette.com.

Alison M. Cheperdak, J.D., is the founder of Elevate Etiquette, a consultancy where she teaches modern manners in a gracious and grounded way. She is the author of a forthcoming book, "Was It Something I Said? Everyday Etiquette to Avoid Awkward Moments in Relationships, Work, and Life."