Airlines can enforce strict clothing guidelines, but thankfully, this only applies to employees and their guests flying for free. However, while regular passengers on commercial flights don’t generally have to worry about strict dress codes and can wear whatever they feel is most comfortable, when it comes to safety, some clothing can be under scrutiny, either because it is offensive or unsafe.
Two items have recently surfaced as a potential passenger hazard: tight denim and leggings.
Stricter Dress Codes For Employees
The dress code for non-revenue passengers has even led to past incidents. In 2017, United Airlines 2017 refused to let two girls board a flight wearing leggings because they were using employee passes, which means they were under much stricter clothing guidelines than normal flyers.
This caught widespread attention, but normal passengers aren’t under such scrutiny unless deemed unsafe.
Health Hazards
Now, health experts are urging travelers to consider wearing loose clothing during travel. The biggest culprits are tight denim and leggings.
While they may be the perfect piece from your wardrobe for that day, consider the serious health and safety problems they can have. Comfort may be an important priority, but there are risks that most aren’t aware of.
Circulation Risks
A vein specialist, Dr. Hugh Pabarue from Metro Vein Centers, has warned that tight clothing isn’t recommended for air travel. Long flights can surprisingly affect circulation when wearing tight pants like skinny jeans and leggings.
Blood flow can be restricted, and the risk of DVT or deep vein thrombosis is increased. Other risks include swelling and nerve compression.
Skinny Jeans
Skinny jeans are one of the most popular styles many Americans wear, whether or not they fit. However, this tight fit restricts movement and compresses veins.
Dr. Pabarue mentions that tight denim and limited mobility in airline seats make blood circulation more difficult. But it’s not just skinny jeans that have consequences; leggings have their own.
Cabin Pressure
The science behind tight pants being a hazard has to do with cabin pressure. During especially long flights, passengers can experience bloating and swelling due to cabin pressure, and if pants were already tight, this can pinch the waist, cause discomfort, and restrict movement.
There’s more to just the discomfort, as circulatory risks and nerve issues are more likely to happen.
Synthetic Fibers
Extreme cases of tight leggings can have similar health risks associated with tight denim, but they also pose another risk to airline passengers.
Aviation specialist and author Christine Negroni has highlighted the materials most leggings are made from—spandex or polyester. If a fire breaks out on the flight, these materials can melt onto the skin, leading to much more serious burns and rendering aid by first responders considerably harder.
Recommendations For Safe Air Travel
Negroni and Dr. Pabarue urge airline passengers to wear loose clothing made from natural fibers. Passengers who want the best circulation during flights can wear medical compression socks.
These socks can prevent DVT without restricting blood flow or compressing nerves. Passengers must know the risks associated with their clothing, even if airliners don’t enforce strict dress codes.
The Difference Between Survival And Not
Thankfully, fires starting on planes are rare, but they have happened in the past, and Negroni mentions that the choice of clothing attire has made a difference in terms of survival or how badly passengers were injured.
Even flight attendants are trained to know synthetic materials and their associated risks. On longer flights, passengers should always dress to be safe.
Dress For More Than Just Style
While flyers may want to dress for style, it’s important to know about the potential health hazards of certain materials and the tightness of clothing.
Experts have weighed in and are in agreement: Try to avoid tight denim and synthetic leggings when flying. The looser the clothing, the better. Many aren’t aware that their outfit really makes a difference in reducing health hazards on planes.