We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
Deciding what to wear on a plane can be more complicated than it seems. Some airlines have strict dress codes that include rules like not wearing clothing with offensive words or imagery and covering up bare abdomens when wearing crop tops. Some airlines are even banning barefoot passengers. Another warning you may have heard is that you shouldn’t wear leggings on a plane. Though United Airlines caused a stir in 2017 when it denied boarding to two girls wearing leggings, the garment isn’t actually against the dress code. Still, leggings aren’t the safest clothing choice when flying. In 2022, author Christine Negroni, who wrote a book about air disasters, told The Sun that people shouldn’t wear leggings because they’re made of synthetic materials that can put you in danger if there is a fire on the plane.
Negroni told the publication, “Everyone is wearing yoga pants on planes now, but I avoid all artificial fibres because they are more likely to burn and stick to you if there is a fire.” That’s a pretty scary thing to think about. Plane crashes and accidents are very uncommon, but things happen. Taking steps to keep yourself safe is important, just in case. Leggings are really comfortable, of course, and it makes sense that people would choose them for a flight. However, there are better options.
Why you shouldn’t wear leggings on a plane and what to wear instead
Most clothing materials will burn when exposed to fire, but while some material can be made inflammable, your average pair of leggings or stretchy yoga pants probably isn’t. Yoga pants are made of synthetic materials, including Lycra or spandex. The issue is that, while natural fibers can catch fire, too, synthetic materials melt. That can make the fabric stick to your skin, as Christine Negroni noted. Moreover, close-fitting leggings are going to be harder to get off in an emergency. (That’s also true for other clothing that’s not recommended on a plane, like skinny jeans.)
Of course, people wear leggings for comfort. You’re sitting on a plane for hours and hours, and the air pressure change can make your tummy bloat. Stiff pants (like those jeans) can feel binding or pinch in places when you can’t move around. Yoga pants and athletic wear are made for movement and flexibility, so it makes sense that they’d be a popular choice. However, it’s safest to stick to natural fibers instead, like cotton or linen. It’s even better if the clothing you pick is loose, like the Faleave Women’s Cotton Linen Summer Palazzo Pants on Amazon, which are a linen and cotton blend. Silk is another option, as is wool if you tend to get chilly.
