Dressing Better to Fix Bad Flights? The U.S. Government Thinks So

The U.S. Department of Transportation has launched a campaign urging passengers to dress more “respectfully” when flying, arguing that appearance and behavior are linked, and that restoring a sense of courtesy could help curb unruly conduct in the skies.

Framed as a return to a so-called “Golden Age of Travel,” the initiative comes amid a sharp rise in reported in-flight incidents since the pandemic, including confrontations involving passengers and airline staff.

Transportation officials have pointed to growing stress levels during travel, packed cabins, and a breakdown in social norms as contributing factors.

The campaign suggests that dressing with greater intention, rather than wearing pajamas or slippers, might encourage passengers to treat one another more respectfully. However, the effort is explicitly unenforceable and relies entirely on public buy-in.

Early signs indicate the message may not be resonating. Images from airports during the busy holiday travel season show little change in how people dress, with comfort remaining the priority for most flyers.

Travel experts and cultural commentators have also questioned whether clothing meaningfully influences behavior, arguing that systemic issues, such as delays, overcrowding, rising ticket prices, and the overall stress of modern air travel, play a far larger role in passenger conduct.

The debate touches on a broader shift in aviation history. Air travel was once expensive, exclusive, and formal; today it is accessible, compressed, and often frustrating.

As airlines maximize capacity and efficiency, passengers increasingly dress for endurance rather than elegance.