Questions: Travel

https://news.yahoo.com/leave-sweatpants-home-why-dress-091005968.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall
Leave the sweatpants at home. Why we need a dress code for flying.

It's time for a dress code for airline passengers. Seriously.

Not the minimum standards that airlines bury deep within their ticket contracts, which say you can't board with bare feet or "patently offensive" clothing. An effective dress code – or at least a dress recommendation – would set standards for appropriate in-flight attire.

And surprisingly, many passengers would welcome it.

"I believe that the airlines should implement a basic dress code," said Jane Angelich, a frequent air traveler and executive coach from Palm Beach, Florida. "Air travelers would contribute to an overall pleasant and positive travel experience for themselves, the crew and their fellow passengers."

Here's the immediate appeal of a dress code: There's been a sharp decline of manners on board. The number of unruly passenger incidents shot up worldwide by 37% in 2022 from the year prior, according to a new report by the International Air Transport Association. The organization reported one unruly incident for every 568 flights last year, up from one per 835 flights in 2021.

Passengers and some psychologists believe that if people dress up before their flight, they might be more respectful – and less likely to lash out.

"When people dress better, they tend to behave better," said Thomas Plante, a psychology professor at Santa Clara University. "A dress code might help."

It's easier said than done. That's because it's surprisingly difficult to agree on what is – and isn't – appropriate. But it's an easier decision for an individual, because dressing up even a little for your flight can benefit you in several ways. So even if your airline doesn't adopt a dress code, maybe you should consider it.