It’s always fun to discuss travel etiquette on the blog, as it generates some interesting conversations, with differing perspectives. I sometimes get asked if there’s a dress code when flying in first class (whether domestic or international), and if one should dress up when sitting in the pointy end of the plane. In this post, I’d like to share my thoughts, and I look forward to hearing how OMAAT readers feel.
In this post:
What you should and shouldn’t wear on a plane
Personally I think the same clothing “etiquette” rules should apply in economy, business, and first class. I’m pretty easy going, so I think:
- You should wear clean and non-smelly clothes (and even beyond the clothes, make sure you don’t smell bad)
- You should cover everything that needs to be covered (people have vastly differing opinions of what that entails, but at an absolute minimum, cover your private parts, and ideally a lot more)
- You should follow cultural norms for the place you’re flying to & from; for example, Saudia has at least historically required women to cover their arms and legs, and has prohibited men from wearing shorts
- Ideally wear close-toed shoes, but if you choose not to, please make sure your feet don’t smell and aren’t unpleasant to look at (self-selection is really tricky here)
I’d say these are half rules and half etiquette tips, and they should apply regardless of the class of service you’re traveling in. I think the trickiest of the above is the one about covering everything that needs to be covered. That’s roughly in line with the dress code most airlines have, but it’s often used subjectively to kick people off planes, and it’s also disproportionately used against curvier women.
Why you shouldn’t have to “dress up” to fly first class
A lot of people choose to dress up when they fly in premium cabins. I totally respect that and see why they do it. I also hope that they respect when other people choose not to.
Let me make the simple case for why you shouldn’t feel like you need to dress up to fly. If you’re expected to “dress the part” in first class, why do airlines distribute pajamas and slippers, and encourage you to change into them before takeoff? For those who believe you should have to dress up to fly, do you oppose changing into them?
A lot of people like to draw parallels to dining in top restaurants, etc., though last I checked, most restaurants don’t give you pajamas and slippers to change into before your meal. I’ll take it a step further — where else in the world can you change into pajamas, enjoy some caviar, and then walk to a bar, all at 35,000 feet?! It’s pretty flippin’ awesome, isn’t it?
Some people like to reference the “good old days” of flying, where people dressed up. I don’t know how many decades we’re going back with that argument, but if we’re going to go back several decades, then it’s important to recognize that flying was a completely different mode of transportation then.
50 years ago airplanes weren’t sleeping quarters, but rather they were restaurants, social clubs, and cigar bars. Flying also wasn’t something that many people did weekly, but rather something that was rarer, and inflation adjusted, significantly more expensive.
Every aspect of the flying experience — from first class to economy — is different than back in the “good old days.” In some cases it’s for the better (hello Emirates A380 first class shower!) and in some cases it’s for the worse (hello many aspects of US-based airlines!).
What do I wear when flying?
I’m by no means suggesting that anyone should take fashion advice from me (well, at least not most people), but for anyone curious, I generally wear athleisure-type clothes when I fly. I usually wear sweats that could look like dress pants if you don’t look closely, a hoodie (my favorite travel essential), a workout shirt, and dressier shoes.
I don’t care whether I’m flying Spirit’s Big Front Seat (or whatever it’s called nowadays) or Emirates first class, that’s my go-to. It’s incredibly versatile, regardless of the temperature, whether I want to sleep or sit up, and it doesn’t wrinkle.
Why don’t I wear dressier clothes on planes? I’m usually traveling with just a carry-on, and I want to preserve the nicer clothes for when I’m actually on the ground. Nothing wrinkles clothes quite like wearing them on a plane, and then add in the risk of spills, and it’s a bad combination.
Bottom line
I respect everyone’s right to dress how they want on a plane, whether that’s in a suit or (clean) casual clothes. Personally I don’t follow the logic of those who are horrified by people dressing down for a long flight, when many airlines encourage passengers to change into pajamas and slippers once they’re onboard.
What’s your approach to dressing when flying? Do you dress up when flying in a premium cabin?
Flew for business many years, so usually business casual, chino pants, polo or dress shirt, and jacket ( leather for cooler). Any casual shoe or sneakers. Prefer fuller fit, not tight or "athletic fit" - for comfort (today's tight cuts and fits are awful). Remember, flying affects your body). Shower before a flight and dont over do it with cologne. I fly for comfort. Nothing worse than a JFK-HKG flight squeezed into a too tight...
Flew for business many years, so usually business casual, chino pants, polo or dress shirt, and jacket ( leather for cooler). Any casual shoe or sneakers. Prefer fuller fit, not tight or "athletic fit" - for comfort (today's tight cuts and fits are awful). Remember, flying affects your body). Shower before a flight and dont over do it with cologne. I fly for comfort. Nothing worse than a JFK-HKG flight squeezed into a too tight "athletic fit" shirt/pants. I'm not for athleisure, but most golf shirts are made ftom perfomance fabrics and are attractive and comfortable (PGA, Ben Hogan etc) - I purchase one size larger for comfort. Sweats and t-shirts not my style. Most of my flights were cross country with several to Europe. Im 62, and saw many changes in my flying- biggest change was the influx of "low-cost" carriers (basically the crosstown bus with wings). I still personally fly main line or JetBlue for a better experience, mo cattle class for me.
Aa far as the "old days", yes people dressed stylishly as flying was a novelty. When I was very young, I remember flying a 747-151 with my parents in Northwest (Orient). Their upstairs lounge was beautiful, like a classy club serving "kuchitori" ors'derves...truly deluxe.
Simon Wilson recently flew on Etihad's Residence in a tee shirt, shorts and trainers!
Personally, i find the dude in a dress waiting upon me with a 5 o’clock shadow personally offensive… so definitely dress the part. Also hijabs, African robes, and turbans in first and business, really do suggest your third world values do not belong or make me want to fly next to you in our 1st world society. Thank gosh for podded privacy seating to take me out of the weird dis-assimilation of those who value...
Personally, i find the dude in a dress waiting upon me with a 5 o’clock shadow personally offensive… so definitely dress the part. Also hijabs, African robes, and turbans in first and business, really do suggest your third world values do not belong or make me want to fly next to you in our 1st world society. Thank gosh for podded privacy seating to take me out of the weird dis-assimilation of those who value fruit bowl national cultures. That being said tattoos and piercings which have been targeted to American men to devalue them by the manipulators of culture are particularly atrocious in first and business too. Now if we could only get privacy pods in coach too, but for now I guess headphones and glasses will have to do to take me away from what air travel has actually become across at all levels. People who sat next to me were my peers at one time, now they are out of space aliens from a different world i live in much of the time. So defintely dress as human.
KilmaBXsst, how did you manage to extract from our tiny brain cells what many people are also thinking? Some of us could not have phrased it better ourselves. The liberal proletariat will be out for our scalps soon …. :-)
Clothing advice in 2026: Cover your private parts.
…. and in so many cases, your mouths too! Far too many people talk with their mouths full, eat as if they have not been fed for weeks and use a fork as if it were a stabbing instrument of war!
I luv this website …. :-)
People dress the part in the rest of the world The problem is those living under the Epste*in class who think dressing like slobs, raping children and bombing children is appropriate behaviour.
Totally agree!!
My go to on every flight is tight tight gym t-shirts & short short gym shorts, with gym sneakers, of course.
Gotta show the world how hard / much I work out at the gym.
#instalife
Call me old-fashioned but even if the flight departs at 5 am I will be freshly showered, use deodorant and an upscale, non-annoying scent (like LeLabo 22). I wear fresh chinos, a cotton dress shirt and a cashmere (in summer a cotton) sweater. No artificial fiber on my body from head to toe. For shoes some comfortable canvas boat shoe or on shorter trips a well made leather dress shoe. I will never take off...
Call me old-fashioned but even if the flight departs at 5 am I will be freshly showered, use deodorant and an upscale, non-annoying scent (like LeLabo 22). I wear fresh chinos, a cotton dress shirt and a cashmere (in summer a cotton) sweater. No artificial fiber on my body from head to toe. For shoes some comfortable canvas boat shoe or on shorter trips a well made leather dress shoe. I will never take off my socks ( a total no-no) and put on a pair of airplane socks or slippers, pajamas on long overnite flights only. Traveling 120 days a year in first or business class and staying in 5-star hotels I can spot an American from a mile. No style, no fashion taste, wearing these dreadful underarmour plastic clothes and dreadful shorts, no luck in footwear either. Only Silicone Valley technerds of any nationality dress worse and always tend to show off their non-pedicured callus feet. If you have money dress the way, as you would not drive a rusty old beetle to an important business meeting either.
i wear athleisure 90% of the time too, but i gotta say i don't really understand the foot phobia in much of the flying community. obviously your feet should be clean and groomed, but beyond that i really couldn't care less if you're wearing open toed shoes, and in all likelihood wouldn't even remember to notice.
i don't even get the scale of the vitriol toward folks who rest their feet on the bulkhead -...
i wear athleisure 90% of the time too, but i gotta say i don't really understand the foot phobia in much of the flying community. obviously your feet should be clean and groomed, but beyond that i really couldn't care less if you're wearing open toed shoes, and in all likelihood wouldn't even remember to notice.
i don't even get the scale of the vitriol toward folks who rest their feet on the bulkhead - it's obviously somewhat awkward and not a best practice (and personally not something that would ever be comfortable at my height) but it's hardly the end of the world and i can't imagine thinking it's any of my business, it's not like i'm eating my meal off the wall.
What about 6-8 passengers lying down on the seats at the SQ KF Gold lounge at Terminal 3 Singapore, with a few bare feet cross legged & in the air?
That’s OK with you too?
P/s true story on 9 Mar. at 8-11am. The staff came by 3 times to wake them up & finally the last one said if they don’t comply, he’ll call security.
yeah i mean completely honest if it's not intruding on my space (or my peace - wear headphones!) then i don't really care.
i guess a lot of this is that i don't expect any of these communal spaces to be anything approaching clean to begin with, and my travel kit is equipped with cleaning products, masks, and hand sanitizer accordingly. no one's bare feet are going to harm me provided that they are not physically intruding on my space.
I don't even own anything that could be classified as "Athleisure" - whatever that is.
I wear presentable, appropriate clothing in public. A gentleman sacrifices a bit of personal comfort for the sake of good taste and good manners in public. Otherwise, we'd all be walking around in bathrobes and fart-y sweatpants, looking like some unemployable.
An airplane is still a public setting, and a person should still dress the part. Save the...
I don't even own anything that could be classified as "Athleisure" - whatever that is.
I wear presentable, appropriate clothing in public. A gentleman sacrifices a bit of personal comfort for the sake of good taste and good manners in public. Otherwise, we'd all be walking around in bathrobes and fart-y sweatpants, looking like some unemployable.
An airplane is still a public setting, and a person should still dress the part. Save the cute pajama pants for yer windowless bars!
100% agree with you.
But it's a shame we have to go to the trouble of explaining to the less-well-informed what should be a common courtesy..[sighs]
Nah, there's no need to dress up. You will, however, want to wear closed-toe shoes and long pants made of wool or cotton, in case you need to head down the exit slide in an emergency. Women should avoid dressing in leggings or other gym gear, because it looks trashy & will burst into flames within 10 feet of a fire.
@Jenna for the winning comment of this thread. Take note, Ben.
Unless I'm at work, a job interview, or a religious service (and sometimes even then), I'm wearing shorts/sweats and a t-shirt. Anyone who doesn't like that can go have relations with themselves.
I am old school BUT. Unfortunately these machines do go down. I do not want to be involved in a mishap wearing flip flops.
There is no respect when dressing in this day and age.
I only fly business / premium class … and I pretty much don’t give a shit what others are wearing.
The not stinking part is the best thing though, do your best not to smell… shower the morning of or the night before your flight… throw on some deodorant and you should be set.
Good luck and enjoy what you pay for… and remember you don’t pay for other peoples opinions when you fly.
...and if possible wear non stinky deodorant, like crystal, otherwise you are no better to me than any of those clowns who were trolled by advertisement into the belief, that their toxic obnoxious aftershave has something in it to attract the opposite gender.
You do you, as long as you're not hurting others. Love who you wanna love. Purchase whichever class of service you want/can. Wear whatever. No need to gate-keep. You. Do. You.
If you are really worried about soiling your shirt you can always use a napkin. Pro tip…if you start to encounter turbulence ask for a second napkin and try to remember where you packed your Tide Stick.
Do you dress up when you take the bus? Just wear clean clothes, don't stink and wear closed toe footwear. Treat it like any other shared confined space. Thanks.
As a retired airline pilot, we had to wear at least a blazer to fly First. To this day, I continue to abide by that code
1. Are you running out of story ideas? This has been done before
2. People who dress like bums or those at the opposite extreme are essentially looking for attention
3. Why cant people dress respectfully? You can't unsee gress bare feet, etc. Pathetic and low
4. In more cases than not its North Americans who go to the lowest common denominator which began with the budget airlines
5. If cabin...
1. Are you running out of story ideas? This has been done before
2. People who dress like bums or those at the opposite extreme are essentially looking for attention
3. Why cant people dress respectfully? You can't unsee gress bare feet, etc. Pathetic and low
4. In more cases than not its North Americans who go to the lowest common denominator which began with the budget airlines
5. If cabin crew on the US carriers do what they want with their appearance, as is the case, why would passengers do better?
One is confident that Ben, will appreciate the trouble which some people have taken in order to respond to this click-bait article. Very encouraging it is too. One is ever hopeful that those who aspire to an F Cabin experience, will take the same trouble with their choice of attire when the time comes. One looks forward to flying with you.
Clicks mean point and points mean flights. Flights fortunately mean reviews, for some, upon...
One is confident that Ben, will appreciate the trouble which some people have taken in order to respond to this click-bait article. Very encouraging it is too. One is ever hopeful that those who aspire to an F Cabin experience, will take the same trouble with their choice of attire when the time comes. One looks forward to flying with you.
Clicks mean point and points mean flights. Flights fortunately mean reviews, for some, upon reading the reviews they may choose to respond with a click …. so it goes on …. :-)
Click-bait articles attract click-bait comments. These in turn perpetuate the clicking and baiting motion …. my thanks to those who oblige the baiter …. :-)
This is a ridiculous thread. Almost all airlines give out pajamas in first class. They obviously want us to wear them during the flight to be comfortable. Given that, all this "dress the part" is nonsense.
I do me - always.
Cover your privates, keep your boobs contained, and have showered. Show a little respect for others.
If you want to be treated with respect, dress and act respectfully. Act obnoxious and dress like a slob, don't be surprised when you're treated like a jerk and a slob. This goes for life, not just flying.
( And, yes I understand one can dress decently and be obnoxious and one can dress slovenly and act respectfully, but the overall point stands.)
Displaying my humongous man boobs is none of your business.
I dress nice for first class but casual. I don't dress much different for economy. Comfortable loose fitting clothing that looks presentable or I'll change into the pajamas for comfort. That being said I'm not soo concerned about what people wear on the plane once boarded because I don't really have to look at them but when you are in a nice lounge maybe don't wander around looking like a total slob in your living...
I dress nice for first class but casual. I don't dress much different for economy. Comfortable loose fitting clothing that looks presentable or I'll change into the pajamas for comfort. That being said I'm not soo concerned about what people wear on the plane once boarded because I don't really have to look at them but when you are in a nice lounge maybe don't wander around looking like a total slob in your living room? Dress appropriately for a public place. It is not that difficult.
It is very easy for one to deduce from the posts below that few have actually traveled in a World Class, First Class cabin. If they have truly done so dressed like slobs, then they would look completely out of place in that environment. Some people obviously have no self respect nowadays.
One can only marvel at how the proletariat, clad in their finest athleisure rags and flip-flops, have somehow managed to infiltrate the very cabins that once demanded a modicum of decorum. Yet here we are, with you clutching your pearls over the supposed “slobs” who dare to occupy the same premium space as their betters.
Newsflash, old bean: those of us who’ve actually flown proper First (not the ersatz nonsense masquerading as such these days)...
One can only marvel at how the proletariat, clad in their finest athleisure rags and flip-flops, have somehow managed to infiltrate the very cabins that once demanded a modicum of decorum. Yet here we are, with you clutching your pearls over the supposed “slobs” who dare to occupy the same premium space as their betters.
Newsflash, old bean: those of us who’ve actually flown proper First (not the ersatz nonsense masquerading as such these days) couldn’t give two figs what the chap next door is wearing, provided he’s paid his dues and isn’t kicking the seat or bellowing into his mobile. The cabin isn’t a bloody country club; it’s transport, albeit rather splendid transport when done right. If a hoodie and trainers offend your delicate sensibilities more than a screaming toddler or the chap who reclines before the seatbelt sign is off, then perhaps the problem lies not with modern standards, but with your own antiquated notions of “self-respect.”
Standards have indeed slipped but mostly because the airlines themselves have commoditised the front cabins, flogging them to the highest bidder (or the most points-hoarding pleb) rather than reserving them for those who appreciate what flying once meant. Blame yield management, not the passenger in joggers who simply wants a flat bed and a decent G&T after a long day.
The days of Concorde blazers and tie are long gone, and good riddance if it means more people can experience proper luxury without gatekeeping it behind outdated dress codes. If you can’t cope with that reality, might I suggest chartering your own aircraft? Far more exclusive, and you’ll never have to rub shoulders with the great unwashed again.
You can be dressed in athleisure wear with trainers and look completely presentable. There are however people who do look like complete slobs and think they are sitting in their living room when in the lounges.
Thanks for pointing out that airlines arbitrarily enforce their vague dress codes, often to the detriment of specific groups of people. The only way it will stop is if people with platforms like yours continue to point it out.
I’m not one that dresses inappropriately but I will let the one that pays for my first class ticket tell me what I should or shouldn’t wear on my first class flight.
Why is one sandal larger than the other ?
This has to be a joke. You’re joking, right? You are.
Given that you are joking, the second paragraph here is masterful. Well played!
Because one of Ben’s feet is larger than the other. And it’s a slipper, not a sandal.
Settle down, SlickLiddleWilly.
I was flying in Delta One (better known as Dunce Three as United and American have them beat) and was seated next to Liddle Tim "Tom Deuce" Dunn who was wearing a Grateful Dead t-shirt and a F You hat! He also wouldn't stop making strange and random and very Strange references to Delta being the best and George Carlin.
Fortunately, his team of Personal Psychiatrists was travelling with him, apologized to me for...
I was flying in Delta One (better known as Dunce Three as United and American have them beat) and was seated next to Liddle Tim "Tom Deuce" Dunn who was wearing a Grateful Dead t-shirt and a F You hat! He also wouldn't stop making strange and random and very Strange references to Delta being the best and George Carlin.
Fortunately, his team of Personal Psychiatrists was travelling with him, apologized to me for what they called "the worst case of mania and multiple personality disorder ever having been seen before anywhere, anytime and anyplace". Very Interesting experience!
I personally think that people should look at their dress when they travel. I for instance cringe at the sight of men in shorts on planes (or city centers for that matter). Women can pull it off, if the shorts are tailored and not jeans’ shorts. The world has in general become too sloppy on etiquette.
You, 100 years ago: "I for instance cringe at the sight of men bare-headed."
You, 200 years ago: "I for instance cringe at the sight of women un-corseted."
Nothing is more arbitrary than the definition of "proper" attire. Usually used as a stand-in for voicing displeasure at people of lower social standing. I for one do not associate with anyone lacking a proper ruff around their neck.
There is nothing arbitrary about proper attire. If that's what you think then you shouldn't be in first class either.
"Proper" is an arbitrary term. Whatever you happen to be wearing right now, people 100 yrs ago would judge you harshly for, as will people 100 years from now. "Proper" = what YOU think people should wear. Which is super neat, for you. There's no agreed upon standard. Never has been, never will be. Just snooty snoots insisting everyone else ought to dress like them.
Ignorance.
For me it's normally:
Budget airline: jeans, shirt, cotton or merino sweater and comfy shoes
Economy: jeans, shirt, cotton or merino sweater and comfy shoes
Premium economy: jeans, shirt, cotton or merino sweater and comfy shoes
Business: jeans, shirt, cotton or merino sweater and comfy shoes
First: jeans, shirt, cotton or merino sweater and comfy shoes
If on business normally a wool / cashmere coat and if on leisure a Barbour jacket (depending on the...
For me it's normally:
Budget airline: jeans, shirt, cotton or merino sweater and comfy shoes
Economy: jeans, shirt, cotton or merino sweater and comfy shoes
Premium economy: jeans, shirt, cotton or merino sweater and comfy shoes
Business: jeans, shirt, cotton or merino sweater and comfy shoes
First: jeans, shirt, cotton or merino sweater and comfy shoes
If on business normally a wool / cashmere coat and if on leisure a Barbour jacket (depending on the weather of course.
I just dress as me - smart enough but no need to wear white tie in first.
LOL
Andy works for Big Merino.
Wearing athleisure outside of the gym... no thanks
First thing is that you should address for safety. Your clothes should be the optimal clothing in case of a post crash fire. That means long sleeves and long pants.
After that business attire or business casual is good.
Very true. You should also wear substantial shoes; no sandals, flip-flops, or open toe shoes.
Oh yeah, always proper shoes!
I remember a recent flight where the FA asked a J passenger to keep her shoes on during taxi and take-off. The passenger was so annoyed and couldn't understand why shoes could possibly be needed if she was already in 'relaxation' mode.
FAs definitely deal with a lot of crap.
Speaking of fires, athleisure does tend to be more flammable and melty than other types of clothing.
Yes - dressing the part is essential for some personnel. I will leave it there for the high information voter type to digest, and the low information voter type to go, huh?
Thank you to everyone doing their part internationally and people like the TSA who are going unpaid right now as America secures its borders, and attempts to stop the bad people who do evil things, such as harm, and cheat Americans as well as foreigners from coming in an creating harm.
This has to be a joke. You’re joking, right? You are.
Given that you are joking, the second paragraph here is masterful. Well played!
Jeans and a collared shirt for me. I detest the slobs that have roll up in flip flops, shorts and t-shirt.
Oh, please....stupid sartorial advice from a dunce.
I don’t understand how people are comfortable flying in sweatpants and hoodies in public, or worse flip flops... You never know what will happen, and you certainly don't want to be on Egyptian news captured by CCTV at Cairo airport wearing that
For short haul, you can be formal in a hour flight. For long haul you can be comfortable and still look decent: wide wool trousers, proper shoes (you take them off anyway),...
I don’t understand how people are comfortable flying in sweatpants and hoodies in public, or worse flip flops... You never know what will happen, and you certainly don't want to be on Egyptian news captured by CCTV at Cairo airport wearing that
For short haul, you can be formal in a hour flight. For long haul you can be comfortable and still look decent: wide wool trousers, proper shoes (you take them off anyway), and a light cashmere pullover...It regulates temperature and won’t make you smell like recycled cabin air. Jacket can be elegant also since you will also take it off.
I think certain elements of our society (as is common) overcorrected from the dress code era and maintained that there should be no expectations of any kind for dress.
But when one goes out in public, I think a good faith effort should be made to be presentable, and in a closed space Ben’s comments about odor and hygiene are well taken.
You don’t need to wear a suit, but be cognizant of those around you
If you mean no tank top, flip flops, pajamas, underwear as outer clothing, and unlaundered clothes then yes I do dress up.
Growing up flying from 5 to 18, was always dressed to fly. When i started to fly on my own, i continued that. I actually landed more random upgrades than not dressed. Now i am just wearing comfortable loose clothes to travel. My own comfort matters then dressing up.
I wear what I consider casual/smart casual until I’m seated. Upon takeoff, if it’s long haul, I change into something more comfortable including but not limited to sleepwear. What are they gonna do? Deny boarding to a paying customer?
The world cares too much about “image” nowadays. Pay attention to decorum, and definitely have some self respect, but you’re not flying whatever travel class just to please the taste of the masses.
Actually I’m reminded now of the time I flew SQ F from Sydney and an Indonesian family of 3 wore matching Pokémon-themed outfits. I was very jealous of them and wish I was a little more whimsy
One of the weird things is that Americans will wear a tie before a jacket. In Italy, the joke was that these Mormons were "weird kids wearing a tie with no jacket".
...Hey, a jacket (blazer/sport coat, if you must) is a pretty handy piece of equipment. You can keep your travel documents at hand and deplane with it in an emergency without being the jerk who pulls crap out of the overhead bins.
One of the weird things is that Americans will wear a tie before a jacket. In Italy, the joke was that these Mormons were "weird kids wearing a tie with no jacket".
Hey, a jacket (blazer/sport coat, if you must) is a pretty handy piece of equipment. You can keep your travel documents at hand and deplane with it in an emergency without being the jerk who pulls crap out of the overhead bins.
No, I don't judge those who have other routines, as long as they're clear their first duty is to getting out of whatever cramped space they're in, and their second duty is making money.
I try to wear a decent shirt and trousers, for sure. The last time I flew First Class though (LH FRA-JFK) the other seven passengers were all dressed in hoodies and sweatpants and looked as though they had just finished a workout session.
LH seems to be the preferred airline of third world hi-tech guys that traverse FRA as they transfer to or from the west coast. It is likely these first class travelers couldn't care less what you or I thought. I can also bet that their tech employer paid big bucks.