The U.S. Department of Transportation recently launched a campaign to promote kindness in air travel. They encourage passengers to dress nicely and use polite language, like saying “please” and “thank you.” Yet, many travel experts doubt this effort will make a real impact.
The campaign, called “The Golden Age of Travel Starts With You,” aims to start discussions on improving civility among travelers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy introduced this initiative partly because there’s been a noticeable rise in unruly behavior on flights. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, such incidents reached a peak in 2021, and reports remain double what they were before the pandemic.
Interestingly, Duffy did not specify what “dressing with respect” means. On social media, he suggested that travelers should dress nicely, lend a hand to others, and maintain a positive attitude. He even offered five questions for passengers to consider to reflect on their behavior:
- Are you helping those in need with their bags?
- Are you dressing with respect?
- Are you managing your children well?
- Are you thanking your flight attendants?
- Are you using polite language in general?
However, many travelers today value comfort over formality. With cramped seating and potential delays, comfort is often the priority. In a recent social media discussion, many travelers suggested practical changes like expanding seat sizes instead of focusing on dress codes.
Looking back a few decades, air travel was different. People often dressed up to fly, and the experience itself was more refined. Chris Elliott, a travel expert, notes that “economy class was actually nice,” but that is no longer the case. Sarah Silbert, a strategist for a flight search engine, expressed that enforcing a dress code isn’t realistic, especially given the stress of modern travel.
Experts agree opinions on what constitutes respectable attire can vary widely. Daniel Green, of Faye Travel Insurance, believes this campaign is well-intentioned but unlikely to change behavior. “This is just a campaign about etiquette that won’t have real consequences,” he remarked.
What’s driving this rise in unruly behavior? Factors range from alcohol and drugs to stress from overcrowded airports and delays. Scott Keyes, founder of Going.com, points out that today’s travel environment is more accessible, with many different demographics now flying. While the campaign seems to suggest a return to a “golden age,” he argues the past wasn’t all roses—flights were longer, lacked Wi-Fi, and had less comfortable conditions.
The truth is, air travel has evolved. While the past might seem more glamorous, today’s flying experience includes more people and diverse travelers. As Keyes put it, “If more people can afford to fly, we must accept their behavior too.” Focusing on kindness might be nice, but society should embrace a variety of travelers without strict dress codes.
For those interested in exploring more about air travel behavior and trends, you can check out reports from the FAA or Transport Security International for deeper insights.
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United States Department of Transportation, Travel
