Ryanair has reiterated its controversial stance on what passengers should not wear on their planes, after one passenger attempted to bend the 'rule'. The Irish airline responded to a passenger's query about wearing denim shorts, declaring that they are 'worse' than jeans.
Passenger's outfit questioned
Recent passenger Pam Booth sought advice over her choice of outfit, which prompted a damning response from the 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.
Health risks of wearing denim
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. The airline's advice is echoed 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."
Ryanair's campaign against jeans
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. 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: "Thank you for flying Ryanair. It's 2026, let's stop travelling in jeans please."
The advice concludes: "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."
