U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has launched an **initiative encouraging travelers to avoid wearing pajamas** on airplanes, advocating for a return to **civility in air travel**. Speaking at Newark Airport in New Jersey, Duffy highlighted a **’degradation in civility’** among passengers and urged them to **dress with more respect** for a more **courteous atmosphere during flights.**
Duffy’s **’civility campaign’** comes in response to rising **in-flight disturbances**, with **FAA data showing a 400% surge in such incidents since 2019.** This includes a range of **disruptive and violent incidents**, such as **unruly passengers** and physical altercations. The **transportation secretary** emphasized that **dressing more formally** could contribute to **improved behavior and a more respectful travel environment.**
**Etiquette experts** such as Diane Gottsman, founder of the Protocol School of Texas, and Jacqueline Whitmore, a former flight attendant, have supported the **move to promote formal attire.** Gottsman argued that **wearing pajamas in public spaces is inappropriate** and that it’s a matter of **respect** rather than **fashion.** She emphasized that **comfort and appropriateness should go hand in hand**, suggesting that **comfortable yet suitable clothing** is the ideal choice for **air travel.**
**Whitmore added that attire can influence behavior and self-perception**, referencing the concept of **enclothed cognition.** According to this psychological theory, **what we wear can impact how we feel and behave**, both toward ourselves and others. She acknowledged that **children are given more leniency on overnight flights,** but generally, **pajamas and slippers are best left in private spaces.**
Duffy’s **initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the travel experience** for all passengers. He believes that **dressing well encourages respect for oneself and others,** ultimately **contributing to a more courteous atmosphere** in **public spaces like airports.**
**The campaign also highlights the role of celebrity culture** in **populating airports with pajama-clad travelers.** High-profile figures such as **Ed Sheeran and Rihanna** have been photographed in loungewear at airports, which some critics argue has **popularized the trend.** However, experts like **Gottsman and Whitmore** argue that **dressing appropriately for travel** is less about **social status** and more about **showing respect for the traveling experience itself.**
As the **transportation secretary continues to promote this campaign**, the broader **effort to restore civility** in air travel is gaining traction. While **formal attire is not a cure-all for in-flight disturbances**, the **campaign encourages a cultural shift** in behavior, potentially **improving the overall travel experience for everyone.**