Key points
- US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has appealed to air travelers to avoid pajamas, slippers and loungewear at airports, and to dress in simple, respectable outfits like jeans and a proper shirt.
- His comments are part of a new US government campaign called “The Golden Age of Travel Starts With You,” which aims to restore civility, politeness and basic etiquette in the skies.
- Duffy linked the call for better dress and manners to a sharp rise in unruly passenger incidents, saying in flight disturbances have jumped roughly fourfold since 2019.
- He also urged able bodied travelers to help others with luggage, speak politely to crew and fellow passengers, and keep a positive attitude during the crowded Thanksgiving period.
- Millions of Americans are expected to fly this Thanksgiving week, and officials say air traffic control and airport staffing levels have been increased to handle what could be a record holiday rush.
- The remarks have triggered strong reactions on social media, with many travelers arguing that airlines have cut comfort and space, so passengers rely on casual clothing to cope with long, cramped journeys.
Speaking in TV interviews and at airports ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, Duffy said he has seen a clear decline in passenger behavior in recent years, from arguments at gates and baggage belts to disruptive scenes inside aircraft cabins. He complained that many people now come to airports dressed as if they are going to bed, in pajamas, slippers, and sleepwear, instead of treating flights as public spaces where some basic decorum is expected.
Duffy asked travelers to avoid wearing pajamas and bedroom-style slippers, and instead to choose comfortable but presentable clothes, such as jeans with a decent shirt, which he believes can subtly encourage people to behave more respectfully. He linked attire to attitude, arguing that when passengers dress with a little more care and self-respect, they are more likely to be courteous, patient, and cooperative with crew and fellow travelers.
The new “golden age of travel” civility campaign
Duffy’s comments are part of a broader US Department of Transportation initiative branded “The Golden Age of Travel Starts With You,” which seeks to “bring back courtesy and class” to air travel through soft messaging rather than legal rules. The campaign encourages travelers to say “please” and “thank you,” follow crew instructions, avoid confrontations, and remember that everyone is under stress during peak travel seasons.
Officials say the push comes after a surge in bad behavior in the skies, with federal data showing a steep increase in unruly passenger incidents since 2019, including confrontations over masks during the pandemic and disputes over seats and luggage. While the number of such cases has fallen from the peak, they remain roughly twice as high as before the pandemic, prompting regulators to look for new ways to promote calmer, more respectful travel.
“Help each other” message for the Thanksgiving rush
Alongside his comments on clothing, Duffy stressed that passengers should look out for one another, especially during the Thanksgiving travel crush, one of the busiest periods of the year for US aviation. He urged physically able travelers to assist elderly people, parents with children or shorter passengers who struggle to lift heavy bags into overhead bins.
He described the holidays as the best time to show humanity, asking flyers to be in a good mood, extend small acts of kindness and treat fellow passengers and staff with empathy. Duffy also insisted that, despite earlier staffing shortages linked to a past government shutdown, air traffic controllers and airport personnel will be on duty in sufficient numbers to manage the expected record volumes safely.
Social media backlash and comfort concerns
Duffy’s “dress nicely” appeal quickly went viral, with many social media users accusing the government of focusing on passengers’ clothes instead of fixing deeper problems, such as tight seating, frequent delays, and rising ticket and baggage fees. Critics said airlines have removed legroom, squeezed more seats into the cabin, and reduced in-flight amenities like free meals, blankets, and pillows, leaving comfortable clothing as one of the few ways people can make long flights bearable.
Some travelers argued that they would happily dress more formally again if airlines rolled back cost-cutting and made flying feel special, rather than like being “packed in like sardines.” Etiquette experts interviewed by US media were divided, with some agreeing that pajamas belong at home rather than in public spaces, while others warned that trying to revive a nostalgic “golden age” look risks ignoring the realities of modern, mass market air travel.
