Planes

A flight attendant has shared the thing that she would never wear during a flight abroad, because it can be dangerous, and could have an unexpected physical impact too

Dressing up for the airport is part of the fun for many people, because as much as you want to look comfy while you travel, you also want to look chic. However, when it comes to your footwear, a flight attendant has shared that there’s something you should never wear, even though it might at first seem like the comfiest and best idea you’ve ever had.

Sille shared some advice about what’s best to avoid on a plane, and promised she didn’t intend to pass judgement on people’s clothing choices, rather that she wants everyone to be safe and happy in all potential circumstances.

On TikTok, @sillerydell wrote: “I see this on almost every flight, and I promise it’s not a judgment. Your feet and body will thank you,” as she detailed the things that she’d “skip” when travelling on a plane.

Flip flops

Footwear that could prove to be dangerous on planes are flip-flops. She wrote: “Flip-flops. Feet swell, cabins get cold. And imagine running to your gate in flip flops.”

Shorts or crop tops

“First of all, the aircon is brutal,” she said. “Secondly, you don’t ever want your naked skin near those seats.” You might want to opt for full-length trousers and a proper t-shirt, and perhaps even take a jumper with you in case you get too cold.

Tight jeans

She warned that “your body swells at altitude,” so if you wear jeans that are too tight, you may end up feeling extremely uncomfortable, and wondering whether it was worth looking good and suffering, especially if you pair them with a crop top.

One thin layer

She shared that wearing one thin layer and hoping for the best isn’t ideal, as “planes can be freezing, even to hot destinations,” so you may want at least a jacket to keep you warm, or a jumper, and you can wear it on the journey back home.

What the flight attendant suggests you wear instead…

She suggested “Something comfy, covered and in layers,” reiterating that she “works on planes so you don’t have to learn this the hard way”.

What did people in the comments say?

In the comments, someone wrote: “Totally agree!!! Flip flops and Crocs should be banned from flights.” Responding to people asking why, they replied they’re “not appropriate footwear”.

Another defended them, however, saying: “I always wear flip flops, BUT I have specific aeroplane socks that I wear on the plane, except to the bathroom, a different pair of flip flops go on for that, and then they get put in the trash. They are throwaway ones.”

A third wrote: “People wear flip flops to make it easier at security, but honestly, that’s so disgusting! I can’t imagine my bare feet touching those floors. Always socks and sneakers when I fly!”

Somebody else shared other things that they think people should stop doing on planes.

They wrote: “Also, stop wearing strong perfumes when flying. It can trigger allergies, migraines, and respiratory issues in a confined cabin space. Wear perfume or cologne when you’re outside the plane.”

Another said that they wear “linen trousers with elastic waistband, a vest top and a long shirt for layer, but I do wear sandals.”

WHETHER you’re a plane enthusiast or simply like being in the heart of the action, at these airside cafes and pubs you can see it all.

Some visitors say you can feel rumbling beneath your feet and smell jet fuel in the air as they watch planes and helicopters take off in front of them.

The Aerodrome Café

At The Aerodrome Cafe in Elstree, you can sip on a coffee while watching planes take off in front of you.

The small cafe sits next to the Elstree Aerodrome which dates back to World War II and now serves light-aircraft and helicopters.

Inside the cafe, is a cosy log burner and as for the food, the kitchen is actually led by a Michelin-trained chef.

You can munch on all-day breakfasts and hot meals, including freshly made pizzas and Sunday roasts – or opt for an afternoon coffee with homemade cake.

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For those wanting to see the airfield, head outside for the best views where passengers say you can hear “plane noises” and actually see them land and take off.

The Airport Pub, Manchester

You’ll practically be on the runway at this pub (not really), but it’s only 50 feet away from where the planes take off at Manchester Airport.

Grab a pint, burger or pizza, take a pew and watch the jets take off. One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: “Kids loved watching the plane land and take off, even spotted a 787!”

Another said: “The location is great, right next to the runway which makes this pub excellent for plane spotting, if you’re an avid plane spotter or if you just want to watch planes take off or land while you’re having lunch.”

For kids, there’s even an airplane shaped playground with slides and monkey bars.

Quite often the pub holds events over bank holidays, and family fun events with face painting and glitter tattoos.

The Lookout, London

Aptly called The Lookout, this community cafe sits just outside of Biggin Hill Airport in London.

While you won’t see the landing of jumbo jets, the airfield is used for smaller planes and private charters.

In The Lookout Cafe, they serve up hot breakfasts – you can get pancakes or waffles with a choice of topping for £7.25.

For kids, there’s a Little Flyers menu which includes a lunchbox deal where you can get a sandwich, juice carton, small chocolate bar, a piece of fruit and packet of ‘Pombears’ crisps or popcorn for £5.45.

One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: “Be prepared for a whiff of aviation fuel and noise with your coffee but that’s part of the setting if you sit outside.

“Look out for the fancy jets, helicopters and, of course, the Spitfire – you can hear that coming before you see it.”

Hangar 9, Surrey

Redhill Aerodrome in Surrey has been a working airfield since the 1930s.

Its historic hangar was originally constructed and began operations in 1934 as part of the aerodrome – now inside it is Hangar 9 Cafe which serves breakfast and lunch.

Visitors have said not only does it serve up a tasty food, but it also has “brilliant views of the light planes and helicopters taking off on the field beyond”.

The airfield sees action with helicopter operations, charter services and even flight training schools.

The Apron Cafe and Bakery, Retford

Just outside of Retford, you can get a front row seat to see planes take off at Gamston Airport.

Rather than commercial planes, it’s an airfield for light private planes, flight training aircraft and small helicopters.

You can watch all the action next to the runway at The Apron Cafe and Bakery, which is open from 9am until 5pm every day for breakfast, and lunch from sandwiches to main meals.

On Sundays, you can even opt for roast dinners, and if you’re really hungry, enjoy the full three courses.

One visitor said: “The planes kept the children amused between courses.”

Another added: “Amazing breakfast. When you have the weather it’s nice to sit outside and watch the planes and helicopters.”

Against the tidal wave of public opposition to those who go barefoot on a plane, there is a countercultural force of people determined to get up in the sky, unencumbered by socks

They may be the most maligned group in modern society – the barefoot passenger.

There is something about a naked, sock-free foot at 30,000 feet that unifies the public in its fury and disgust in a way rarely seen in the 21st-century world of social media polarisation. And every now and again, there’s a particularly egregious case that captures the attention.

Back in October last year, Boston-based artist Ashley Eisenman filmed a man behind her propping his bare foot into the gap beside her seat for the entire hour-long flight, leaving them mere centimeters from her defenseless arm. “He 1000% should be on the no-fly list ASAP,” she wrote after the traumatic incident.

If a one-hour flight from Reno to San Francisco is bad, then a nine-hour journey from Zurich to New York is the stuff of flakey-skinned, wiggly-toed nightmares. That is what happened to Reddit user u/sarahfayejay, who posted an alarming photo with the caption: “I have a 9-hour flight ahead of me.”

And it’s not an issue that inflicts only those in economy. The alarming Instagram page Passenger Shaming shared a video of a woman lying on her back in first class, with both her bare feet resting against the plane’s wall.

OPINION

While you might assume that the dislike of this practice was universal and a given, Expedia decided to check. In a 2018 survey of 18,000 travellers it found that more than 90% said it’s never okay to go barefoot on a plane, while a later 2023 Kayak-led piece of peer reviewing found that 76% of travellers “prefer their vision free of toes” on a flight.

Against this tidal wave of public opposition, there is a countercultural force of people determined to get up in the sky, unencumbered by socks.

Brits going on holiday this autumn have been urged to check their luggage for an item that can no longer be used on planes – and it could mess up your travel plans

If you’re going on holiday this year, you need to make sure you follow a new travel rule that bans the use of one common item on planes. With summer behind us and the kids back at school, many Brits will be looking to book a holiday in the hopes that prices for flights and hotels have dropped.

Before leaving for your trip, it’s important to make sure you understand all the rules in place for everything from your flight to airport security, as you don’t want to get caught out with something that can ruin your holiday. One woman recently said her travel plans were almost scuppered by one little-known rule she didn’t know, as it only came into effect recently.

In a video on TikTok, a woman uploaded a video that captured the moment passengers on her Jet2 flight were told they could not use power banks while on the flight, due to a new rule.

Passengers were told: “As of the first of August, it is now illegal to use power banks on European aircraft, so if you’ve got a power bank with you, it should remain switched off, as these are forbidden for use on flights.”

The woman could be seen shaking her head and exchanging a confused look with her daughter, as she seemingly had no idea that the rule was in place. This was made even clearer with her video’s caption, where she admitted she had been hoping to use her power bank to charge her phone during the flight.

She wrote: “My phone’s about to die.”

It is not illegal to bring power banks on planes, but current aviation rules ban using them to charge devices or recharging the banks themselves during flights. This is because they carry a fire risk if the battery inside overheats, which can be dangerous to passengers on board – so it’s best to charge your device before you get on the plane.

Power banks must never be stored in your hold luggage, and should instead go in your hand luggage. This helps to reduce the risk of fire, as it can be quickly dealt with if something does go wrong and the battery does overheat.

Several commenters on the woman’s video said they agreed with the new rules for safety reasons, as they said they had heard horror stories of power banks catching fire on flights in the past.

One person said: “I can understand as they get really hot. Should really ensure this is known to people as it’s really important.”

Another added: “I brought a new power bank on a plane last year, and when I got off the plane, it had split the casing and was very hot.”

A third wrote: “About time!”

New rules, which came into force in March this year, aim to reduce the likelihood and impact of incidents involving power banks. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is asking travellers to familiarise themselves with these rules, which are:

• Power banks must be carried in hand luggage only
• Each power bank must be individually protected when not in use, using a pouch, its original packaging or a separate bag to prevent short circuiting
• You can take a maximum of two power banks per person
• Power banks must not be recharged on board, including from an in-seat power outlet
• Power banks up to 100Wh are permitted, while those between 100Wh and up to 160Wh need approval from the airline

Whether you can use your power bank to charge your phone on an aircraft actually depends on the airline. While you cannot charge the power bank itself on any flight, some airlines may allow it to be used as a portable charger.

Ryanair allows them to be used, except during taxi, take-off, and landing, while easyJet, Jet2, Emirates, and Virgin Atlantic do not allow power banks to be used on board at all.