A pilot's wife with over two decades of travel experience has issued essential guidance on what you should never wear when flying, emphasising that one particular item must be avoided at all costs for both comfort and wellbeing.
The Expert Advice from a Seasoned Traveller
Known as Laurie from the YouTube channel Travel Tips by Laurie, the wife of a pilot has shared her invaluable insights gleaned from 23 years of frequent flying. While jetting off abroad is always an exciting prospect, Laurie insists that practicality should take precedence over style when selecting your in-flight outfit.
The Critical Item to Avoid
In a recent online video, Laurie outlined several clothing types to steer clear of during air travel. She strongly advises against wearing white garments, recounting personal experiences where she acquired smudges from luggage and food stains in airports.
Furthermore, she warns travellers to avoid complicated jumpsuits which can create unnecessary stress, particularly in the confined space of airplane lavatories. Her recommendation is to pack such outfits rather than wear them during the flight.
The Problem with Stiff Fabrics
Perhaps most crucially, Laurie emphasises that you should never wear stiff leather or rigid denim while flying. These restrictive materials can impede blood circulation, which becomes particularly problematic given the cabin pressure changes experienced during flights.
"Do not wear stiff leather or stiff denim because it restricts your blood flow," Laurie explains in her video. "While I sometimes wear trendy pieces, this video is going to focus on cosy, stretchy and versatile garments you should be wearing and a few to avoid."
Why Denim Poses Particular Problems
Although denim is commonly considered acceptable for air travel, experts actually caution against it due to several significant drawbacks. The reduced cabin pressure during flights triggers abdominal bloating, and inflexible materials like traditional denim can hamper movement while elevating the likelihood of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Several factors make denim a poor choice for plane journeys. Primarily, constricting waistbands can become painfully tight as your body expands due to atmospheric changes at altitude. Beyond mere discomfort, restrictive garments can seriously impede blood flow, substantially heightening DVT risks.
Additionally, heavyweight denim and belts frequently trigger delays at security screening points, creating further inconvenience for travellers. Put simply, this fabric presents multiple drawbacks for those undertaking air travel.
Practical Alternatives for Comfort
For both comfort and wellbeing, loose-fitting garments or athleisure wear represent your best bet when flying. Though donning a pair of jeans might seem like a smart move to save on luggage space, the drawbacks often surpass the benefits considerably.
The general advice leans strongly toward opting for more comfortable alternatives such as joggers, leggings, or stretchy trousers that allow for movement and adaptation to changing cabin conditions. Should you insist on wearing denim, ensure you select only high-stretch varieties that offer greater flexibility.
Wider Context of Travel Advice
This isn't the only travel tip making the rounds lately, with airlines like Ryanair recently posting vital information regarding hand luggage regulations. However, Laurie's advice stands out for its practical focus on passenger comfort and safety throughout the entire journey from boarding to baggage claim.
As we venture deeper into 2026, this nugget of wisdom tops Laurie's travel advice list and is certainly worth bearing in mind before you embark on your next overseas adventure. The key takeaway remains clear: when it comes to air travel fashion, comfort and practicality should always trump style considerations.
