US Transport Secretary sparks outrage by describing what is 'disrespectful' clothing for a flight and issues warning
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: Ryan Collerd/Bloomberg via Getty Images
US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has caused outrage online after describing what is 'disrespectful' clothing for a flight.
The vast majority of Americans put on a comfy fit for a flight, and the majority wouldn't blame them. I mean, you want to be comfy, especially during a long-haul flight.
Particularly on budget airlines that offer extremely uncomfortable seats, you're not going to want to wear jeans and a shirt, which will only add to the pain.
But according to Sean P. Duffy, Secretary of Transportation, we need to get away from the joggers and oversized sweatshirts.
Advert
"Whether it's a pair of jeans and a decent shirt, I would encourage people to maybe dress a little better, which encourages us to maybe behave a little better. Let's try not to wear slippers and pajamas as we come to the airport," Duffy said ahead of the hectic Thanksgiving travel season.
Duffy on his demand that air travelers not wear slippers or pajamas: "It honors our country ... don't take your shoes off and put your feet on the chair ahead of you" pic.twitter.com/O7mQGYVJQ3
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 24, 2025
Duffy was speaking after the launch of 'The Golden Age of Travel Starts with You', a campaign the government hopes will 'inspire return to civility and address record surge in unruly passengers disrupting travel for millions of Americans'.
A press release from the Department of Transportation added: "The campaign is intended to jumpstart a nationwide conversation around how we can all restore courtesy and class to air travel.
"This won’t just make the travel experience better for the flying public – it will ensure the safety of passengers, gate workers, flight attendants, and pilots."
According to The Independent, the Department of Transportation has claimed the FAA has reported a 400 per cent increase in in-flight outbursts, as well as 13,800 incidents of aggressive passengers since 2021.
In a video displaying cases of questionable aeroplane behaviour, Duffy says that they should bring 'civility and manners back', adding: "There's no question we've lost sight of what makes travel fun – the excitement, the relaxation, the cordial conversations. Americans already feel divided and stressed.
"We can all do our part to bring back civility, manners, and common sense. When we can unite around shared values, we can feel more connected as a country."
It hasn't taken long for those on social media to voice their disapproval at the plans, after a news clip shared on X saw Duffy say of the campaign: "It honors our country ... don't take your shoes off and put your feet on the chair ahead of you."
One person hit out: "I’m definitely wearing pyjamas now. Even on business trips," while a second added: "I don’t want or need my government telling me how to dress. Fix real problems!"
A third said: "No. Going through security is a nightmare. I’m not going to get dressed, so I can get undressed there and dressed back again before I get on the plane.
"Dressing down is a courtesy to those around us. Keeps the security line moving faster."
Others praised the plans, as another social media user wrote: "If an airline instituted a dress code I’d probably fly them more often than others."
And someone else asked: "Restaurants, stores, and workplaces have dress codes. Why not airlines?"