An aviation expert has warned people that they might want to rethink their travelling outfits, and advises against wearing leggings on flights – just in case you need to leave the plane in an emergency
Before you jet off on holiday, there are many checks to undertake to make sure that you’ve got everything that you need – and many people plan what they are going to wear.
A lot of people opt for comfortable clothing on flights – especially when travelling long haul. Airport fashion has become a ‘trend’ that often features cute yoga pants, crop tops, oversized hoodies, and trainers. But, your laid-back leggings could be doing you more harm than good, despite being ultra comfortable and fashionable.
A travel expert is warning that these clothing items are not appropriate for the plane and insists people choose clothing items of a different material. Wearing leggings could be a safety issue.
Aviation expert Christine Negroni has revealed that you should also be checking what materials your chosen plane outfit is made of before boarding. She said that wearing leggings could lead passengers to struggle if there is an emergency on board the flight.
Christine told The Sun: “You might have to escape through a cabin fire or there could be a separate fire on the ground once you leave the aircraft. Everyone is wearing yoga pants on planes now, but I avoid all artificial fibres because they are more likely to burn and stick to you if there is a fire.”
The expert recommends natural fibres like cotton instead. “I’d advise wearing cotton clothes or anything made of natural fibres,” Christine added.
It isn’t a good idea to take off your shoes on a flight either, according to Christine. This is because if you do need to leave the plane in an emergency, the temperatures could be extreme, and you won’t want to be barefoot. Christine recommends wearing trainers, or other flat shoes, rather than heels – regardless of how chic they look.
“If you escape an aircraft, the floor could be very hot or cold, it might be covered in oil or on fire, or in a cornfield – you won’t want to be barefoot,” she said.
She stressed: “Pick sneakers over high heels, pick natural fibres over synthetic, and take tight-fitting clothes over loose-fitting.”
What’s your go-to plane outfit? Let us know in the comments.
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A version of this story was first published on March 28, 2023.
