Flight Attendant Reveals Why Passengers Are Advised Not To Wear Shorts On Airplanes

Choosing an outfit for air travel turns out not to be just about looking stylish once you arrive at your destination. The clothing worn during a flight also relates directly to passenger comfort and personal hygiene.

This matter has become a point of attention for many flight attendants with long careers in the aviation industry. One of those sharing their experience is Charity Nelms, a flight attendant who has worked in this profession for 11 years.

According to Nelms, passengers should opt for clothing that provides extra protection while inside the aircraft cabin. One simple precaution is keeping your legs covered.

"As a flight attendant, I want you to know that shorts, skirts or dresses are not recommended during flights," she stated, as quoted by The Independent UK.

Why Are Long Pants Recommended?

This is not purely about formal dress codes. Nelms highlighted the risk of bare skin coming into direct contact with airplane seat surfaces.

When wearing shorts, skirts or dresses, large areas of leg skin will rest against the seat. Most passengers have no way of verifying how thoroughly those seats were sanitized before the aircraft was prepared for their flight.

Even using personal disinfectant wipes does not guarantee that every part of the seat surface is fully clean.

"Wear long pants. Trust me, I have seen some absolutely disgusting things," she said.

Similar accounts have been shared by Cher Killough, a Dallas, Texas-based flight attendant. She specifically warned passengers against assuming that aircraft seats are always clean surfaces.

"Guess how many diapers got changed on passenger seats during just one of my flights yesterday? Four," she revealed in an April TikTok clip.

While this story may sound extreme, it serves as a reminder that aircraft cabins are shared spaces used by many people in rotation. On flights with high passenger loads, the time allocated for cabin cleaning between services is also relatively limited.

How Clean Are Airplane Seats Actually?

Aircraft cleaning procedures operate at multiple levels. A plane that has just landed will normally only receive a quick clean before being boarded again for the next flight.

John Alford, Vice President of ABM Aviation - a company providing cleaning and maintenance services for the aviation industry - explained to How Stuff Works that between-flight cleaning only covers a set number of priority areas.

This rapid turnover cleaning includes wiping down the galley, servicing toilets, removing waste and tidying general cabin areas before the next departure.

Different protocols apply for long haul aircraft. After completing an 8 to 10 hour flight with no further departures scheduled until the following day, an aircraft will receive a more thorough overnight cleaning.

"This is a more intensive clean, with primary focus on passenger seating areas, while galley and toilet areas are also fully cleaned," Alford added.

However, full deep cleans are not performed after every single flight. The frequency and scope of full cabin cleaning varies between different airlines.

Some airlines operate formal scheduled deep cleaning cycles. Singapore Airlines for example states it performs full cabin deep cleans once every month. British Airways conducts this procedure approximately every 500 flight hours, while American Airlines confirmed to One Mile at a Time in 2023 that their deep cleaning schedule runs once every 45 days.

Practical Travel Outfit Advice

For travellers, these recommendations can be a simple consideration when packing before heading to the airport. Lightweight long trousers for example are a practical choice for flights: they protect your skin while remaining comfortable to wear for extended periods.

This is especially important for long haul flights, where outfit choice should never be prioritised for appearance alone. Comfortable, non-restrictive fabrics that allow free movement are far more important.

Passengers are also advised to avoid overly complicated clothing or footwear that is difficult to remove for security screening. This will make every stage of your journey, from arriving at the airport through to landing at your destination, far smoother.

Ultimately, there is no universal ban that prohibits wearing shorts, skirts or dresses on an aircraft. However, these first hand accounts from cabin crew show that comfort and hygiene are very valid factors to consider when choosing your travel outfit.

So when you make your packing list for your next trip, don't only plan clothes that will look good in photos at your destination. Also make sure the outfit you wear for the flight itself will keep you comfortable and practical from takeoff right through to arrival.