U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has initiated a campaign to encourage air travelers to avoid wearing pajamas and slippers on airplanes, positioning the effort as part of a broader movement to restore civility in public spaces. Speaking at Newark Airport, Duffy highlighted the ‘degradation in civility’ he has observed among passengers during the peak of holiday travel, asserting that ‘dressing with some respect’ could help foster a more courteous environment. While the campaign does not directly address systemic issues in the airline industry, Duffy’s remarks have sparked a renewed debate about the role of personal appearance in public behavior.
The initiative follows a surge in in-flight disturbances, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reporting a 400% increase in such incidents since 2019. These disturbances range from minor conflicts between passengers to more severe cases of violence, according to recent data. Duffy’s advocacy for formal attire on flights has been accompanied by a call for passengers to assist one another in managing luggage and to demonstrate basic courtesies that he argues enhance the overall travel experience. The campaign is not focused on regulating airline operations but rather on shaping passenger behavior during travel.
Etiquette experts have weighed in on the matter, with Diane Gottsman, an etiquette consultant and founder of the Protocol School of Texas, emphasizing that attire reflects respect for public spaces. She argues that ‘pajamas should be reserved for the privacy of one’s own home or hotel room,’ suggesting that dressing in more formal or practical clothing can influence behavior and promote a culture of respect. Similarly, Jacqueline Whitmore, a former flight attendant and founder of the Protocol School of Palm Beach, has pointed to the psychological aspect of ‘enclothed cognition’ — the idea that clothing can shape how people perceive themselves and their interactions with others.
Experts have also noted that the trend of casual clothing in public spaces has been influenced by celebrity culture, where stars like Ed Sheeran and Rihanna have been photographed in loungewear, making airport terminals resemble extensions of private spaces. Whitmore acknowledged that while children are granted more leniency on overnight flights, adults are encouraged to dress more formally to signal respect for the environment of public travel. Both experts agreed that the focus of the campaign is not about social status or formality but rather about demonstrating respect for oneself and others during travel.
The initiative has also sparked discussions about the broader implications of personal appearance in public life, with some suggesting that the return to formal dress could signal a shift toward a more traditional approach to etiquette. While the campaign does not have a direct financial impact on the airline industry, it has reignited conversations about the role of individual behavior in shaping the collective experience of air travel.