A flight expert is urging travelers to ditch their go-to leggings when flying, and the reason might surprise you.
Picking the perfect outfit for a flight can be a balancing act. You want something comfy enough for long hours in the air, but not so cozy that it compromises your safety. While leggings might seem like the ideal option, one aviation expert says they could actually be dangerous in an emergency.
Over the years, flight attendants and industry pros have shared all kinds of wardrobe warnings. One pointed out why flip-flops or Crocs are a no-no in airplane bathrooms: “That isn’t water on the floor (yes, use your imagination), and sandals invite whatever that liquid is to splash on your feet.” Gross.
Another flight crew member advised skipping shorts altogether. In a viral TikTok, he explained, “It’s the same thing as the window, you never know how clean it’s gonna be. If you wear pants, you’ll deal with fewer germs.”
But now, aviation journalist and safety expert Christine Negroni has chimed in, and her advice is all about leggings.
Negroni, author of The Crash Detectives: Investigating the World’s Most Mysterious Air Disasters, told IGV that leggings can be incredibly risky in the event of a fire during an emergency landing or evacuation.
“Most air accidents are survivable, but many involve fire,” she explained. “Leggings are made of synthetic materials. When these chemically produced fibers get hot, they melt and can bond to the skin.”
In short? Those cozy yoga pants could become a medical nightmare if disaster strikes.
Instead, Negroni recommends wearing natural fibers like cotton, wool, or denim, which don’t melt onto skin. She also advises opting for comfortable flat shoes with solid soles, ones that are easy to slip off but durable enough to protect your feet on rough terrain.
“In an evacuation, the ground outside could be cold, wet, icy, hot, or covered in metal and debris,” she said. “High heels have to be removed before using the emergency slide, so flats are the safest choice.”
Bottom line: when flying, function beats fashion, or at least synthetic comfort.
