Irish airline Ryanair has reiterated its controversial stance on what passengers should not wear on their planes – after one passenger attempted to bend the ‘rule’
Ryanair wasn’t impressed by one of it’s passenger’s choice of clothing (stock)(Image: rparys via Getty Images)
There’s nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable on a flight, knowing there’s nothing you can do about it. Wearing jeans is often regarded as an air travel faux pas as the tightness of the material can cause problems when the body swells slightly during low cabin pressure.
Ryanair has frequently warned against wearing denim on board, saying that tight waistbands and stiff leg material squeezes your body, which can cut off good blood flow if you are sitting still for hours. Recent passenger Pam Booth recently sought advice over her choice of outfit, which prompted a damning response from the Irish airline.
“What you got to say about this Ryanair?” Pam asked on Twitter alongside a snap of her attire. “Technically they aren’t jeans.”
Ryanair simply declared in reply: “They’re worse.” Pam’s photo revealed she had opted for denim shorts for her journey, cut just above the knee.
If you’re wearing shorts then your bare thighs and calves could be pressed against the seat fabric for hours. And aircraft seats are turned around fast – while they are cleaned, they’re not deep-sanitised between every passenger, so you’re increasing exposure to sweat, skin cells, crumbs and microbes left behind.
Last month, Ryanair shared an “important” message to those wearing jeans, having previously threatened to introduce a “denim fee” for travellers not adhering to this guidance.
“Important Travel Announcement,” the company posted, accompanied by three images of a Ryanair aircraft in the sky, zoomed in to reveal various details. The first two showed a Ryanair plane soaring through the air, with a brilliant blue sky visible in the background. However, the third image displayed a banner trailing from the rear of the aircraft.
The message was short and sweet. It simply read: “Stop travelling in jeans.”
Ryanair also took to TikTok in July to share a similar message. The airline shared a video of a plane with the Ryanair logo descending over turquoise waters before landing at what appears to be Corfu airport.
Celebratory music is heard playing over the clip, followed by a voice saying the classic phrase many passengers will have heard before: “Thank you for flying Ryanair. It’s 2026, let’s stop travelling in jeans please.”
The recommendation is shared by AAA Club Alliance, who state online: “A stiff denim waistband isn’t ideal when you’ll be sitting in a small, cramped seat for hours.
“Jeans can quickly get uncomfortable, which can put a damper on your entire travel experience. Plus, wearing tight jeans can actually increase your risk of deep vein thrombus (DVT) which are blood clots in the leg, so stiff, tight pants should be avoided.”
The advice continues: “Instead of jeans, opt for a stretchy pant. While sweatpants and leggings can be a great option, if you want to up your game, try trousers with drawstring or an elastic waist.
“Styles in light fabrics, like cotton, or that curl up in a jogger style, are great for a long-haul flight. Or, if you love your jeans, try a relaxed boyfriend cut or other style with decent stretch.”
