Every so often, we see a viral social media post involving bare feet on planes. Sometimes people walk into the lavatory barefoot, sometimes they use their toes to make selections through the inflight entertainment, and sometimes people will put their not-so-nice looking feet a little too close to fellow passengers.
In this post I wanted to talk about this topic in a bit more detail. Is it ever okay to be barefoot on a plane?
In this post:
Airlines largely ban being barefoot onboard
This may surprise some people, but many airlines actually ban being barefoot onboard. For example:
- American’s contract of carriage requests that passengers “dress appropriately,” noting that “bare feet or offensive clothing aren’t allowed”
- Delta’s contract of carriage states that the airline may refuse transport “when the passenger is barefoot”
- United’s contract of carriage states that passengers “who are barefoot, not properly clothed, or whose clothing is lewd,” can be removed from planes
Based on my interpretation, this doesn’t just mean that you have to board a flight with shoes, but you actually need to keep them on. After all, it’s often listed in the same section as offensive clothing, and it’s not like the ban on offensive clothing is just when you board — it also applies while inflight.
Best practices, since airlines don’t enforce these rules
As someone with whatever the opposite of a foot fetish is, I appreciate that airlines have these rules. That being said, let me be practical with my advice. First of all, despite the rules, many passengers do elect to be barefoot once at their seat on flights. If you’re one of those people:
- Please don’t visit the lavatory barefoot, because lavatories are beyond dirty, and the liquid on the floor typically isn’t water
- Remember that airplane carpets also aren’t particularly clean; think of it like being barefoot on a dirty street
- Make sure your feet don’t smell bad and don’t look particularly offensive; admittedly like many things in life, self selection is probably tricky there
- Keep your feet in your personal space, and don’t encroach on the space of others
To sum it up, the below social media posts are definitely what you shouldn’t do. 😉
While it’s not something I do, personally I think it’s potentially fine if you take off your shoes inflight under a few circumstances. If you’re able to cover your feet with a blanket, or if you’re in a first or business class suite with doors and are sleeping, then it’s probably not an issue. After all, “out of sight, out of mind.”
If I’m on a long haul flight and want to get comfortable, I’ll take off my shoes and put on (clean) socks, and then will use the slippers (if provided by the airline) when going to the lavatory.
What about wearing flip flops on airplanes?
Most airlines do allow passengers to wear flip flops. There are some airlines that have specific policies against this for lounges. For example, Qantas Clubs have among the strictest dress codes, and don’t allow flip flops.
Personally I’d never wear flip flops on a plane, but that’s a personal choice, and isn’t to say that you shouldn’t wear flip flops. After all, I don’t get to make the rules. But I think the golden rule applies here as well, so be considerate of how other people may feel about your feet.
Bottom line
Many airlines do ban being barefoot on planes, which is something that many people don’t realize. However, it’s rarely enforced. If you are going to choose to be barefoot, at least keep your feet in your personal space, don’t go to the lavatories barefoot, and try to make sure they’re well maintained.
What’s your take regarding being barefoot on planes?
It is NEVER appropriate to go barefoot on an airplane or wear flip-flops.
I used to be one of those folks who removed their shoes en flight (while wearing socks) to give my feet relief. But I know better. I now loosen my laces before boarding (but keep the shoes during the entire flight). And wear compression socks.
Barefoot no more.
For long flights, I wear sandals. I don't think it's ok to remove your shoes after all the queuing and sweating on the way to the airport and the plane. Flip flops are dangerous on evacuations. Sandals are the best of both worlds.
My feet always get cold on planes, so I might not start with socks no (never flip flops or sandals) with my shoes, but socks are in my bag for when I get cold or feel the need to take my shoes off. Then socks on plus shoes on when leaving my seat for a walk or the lavatory!
Worst are the folks that go to the lavatory in socks or barefoot. It’s the same as going to a public bathroom.
I have had bunion removal on one big toe and would have to have it on the other big toe if I wore shoes a few days in a row...........so as a California resident I have worn flip flops EVERY DAY for the last 10 years...........I wear them almost on all flights that I take to europe but I keep my feet very much contained in my own space and I follow strict hygiene on my feet so I am in line with the Golden Rule!
This article feels like too many words - my version of it would be:
"No."
I don't wear footwear on a plane that I can't RUN FOR MY LIFE in. Yes, the chance of that kind of emergency is infinitesimal, but if it happens, I like my chances better in lace up shoes rather than flip flops. For the same reason I wear natural fabrics, in case of fire I don't want my clothes melting into my skin. And NEVER go barefoot (when sleeping in first, lie-flat seats, I at...
I don't wear footwear on a plane that I can't RUN FOR MY LIFE in. Yes, the chance of that kind of emergency is infinitesimal, but if it happens, I like my chances better in lace up shoes rather than flip flops. For the same reason I wear natural fabrics, in case of fire I don't want my clothes melting into my skin. And NEVER go barefoot (when sleeping in first, lie-flat seats, I at least have socks on). And for people who put their bare feet between the seatbacks onto OTHER people's armrests - GROSS!! (were they raised in a barn??).
The biggest take-away from articles like this is how obsessed some people (especially Americans) are about other people's feet.
And bathroom floor obsession. You know pee is safe, right? Unlike what people are coughing and sneezing.
And, by the way, the Qantas restrictions only apply to domestic lounges. You're ok to wear thongs in international lounges.
On a long flight I'm all about being reasonably comfortable, & I'm more comfortable in my bare feet. Most people either don’t notice that I'm barefoot or don’t care. My feet are nicely pedicured, I don’t have foot odor (since I don’t wear closed shoes), & I keep my feet on the floor - not propped on the armrests (or anywhere else). My flip-flops are in my carry-on, but if you insist that I put...
On a long flight I'm all about being reasonably comfortable, & I'm more comfortable in my bare feet. Most people either don’t notice that I'm barefoot or don’t care. My feet are nicely pedicured, I don’t have foot odor (since I don’t wear closed shoes), & I keep my feet on the floor - not propped on the armrests (or anywhere else). My flip-flops are in my carry-on, but if you insist that I put them on you will still see my feet & my toes.
Another thing - prior to the flight I shower, I put on fresh clean clothes & I go light on perfume/cologne.
I think you mean "I'm all about myself." Oh, you put on "fresh clean clothes" before the flight? Good job girl, but that's what normal clean people do every day. And the fact that you're wearing perfume on a plane at all tells me you don't have a clue. There's no such thing as "going light" on perfume. Either you have the smell on you or you don't. Most perfumes smell absolutely disgusting, even though...
I think you mean "I'm all about myself." Oh, you put on "fresh clean clothes" before the flight? Good job girl, but that's what normal clean people do every day. And the fact that you're wearing perfume on a plane at all tells me you don't have a clue. There's no such thing as "going light" on perfume. Either you have the smell on you or you don't. Most perfumes smell absolutely disgusting, even though the person wearing doesn't realize it, and other people shouldn't have to smell that crap. Anyone who walks around barefoot on a plane or anywhere else is a neanderthal who doesn't understand cleanliness.
Hotel Slippers is the way to go - soggy socks - no thanks !
AGREED!
The issue isn't with comfort or looks. Don't wear flip flops because you don't want to run through a partially damaged fuselage or a place on fire, or down a slide on flips flops in an evacuation. Also, don't take your shoes off until the aircraft is airborne, and put them on before landing. Evacuations happen, and when they do, you don't want to be trying to put shoes on.
Nobody ever thinks about that, and THAT is the main concern.
The last fatal airline crash in the US was Colgan Air in 2009. It's hard to approach very-small chances of very-bad things rationally. You're right that wearing flip flops in a crash would be a problem, but the odds of this happening are tiny, and people aren't necessarily being foolish to roll the dice and prioritize their comfort instead.
Absolutely disgusting. If I came back to my seat and saw someone's foot on my seat, I'd stomp on it and break their foot, then proceed to their face. Yeah I'd probably be met by the FBI at landing, but so be it. It's the cost of standing up for your rights in this awful society.
I am a big fan of Darwin and I love to see his theory applying to dumb people. Let them go barefoot on an airplane lavatory. It is their choice. I once was sitting on row 1 on a flight from Liverpool to Madrid and the main lavatory was in front of my seat. As you expect on flights leaving the UK, most of the passengers on that plane were drunk including a bunch of...
I am a big fan of Darwin and I love to see his theory applying to dumb people. Let them go barefoot on an airplane lavatory. It is their choice. I once was sitting on row 1 on a flight from Liverpool to Madrid and the main lavatory was in front of my seat. As you expect on flights leaving the UK, most of the passengers on that plane were drunk including a bunch of women going to a bachelorette party. They were already drunk before boarding and continued to drink during flight. They were all lining up at the bathroom all barefoot and every time one came out I could see the floor getting more and more wet. Yes, there were guys barefoot as well so the liquid on the floor was a mix of everything. And they were happily stepping on it. Good for them.
Interesting, I was in head-to-toe gym clothing (my go-to for flying) plus flip-flops last time I was at QF F in LAX; no one said anything.
There’s a huge difference between not having shoes and being barefoot. It’s called socks.
Keeping shoes on throughout an international flight sounds awful. I typically have a couple pairs of socks with me at all times — the airline ones are cute but are usually too small.
Regarding flip flops. Ask yourself, in the event of an emergency when you need to evacuate the plane quickly, the risk of losing your footwear is high. Do you really want to risk walking around in a potential fire, crash, etc., with no shoes on?
I'm always shocked that people think its ok to put their foot on other peoples seats and encroaching on their space even socks, although some of the worst people also do this barefoot.
I will take mine off once we hit 10k feet and put them back on when the approach begins. I always have socks on (never fly in flip flops), and I'll use the extra socks and/or slippers the airline provides. If it's an airline I know that doesn't give great amenities, I'll usually bring the hotel slippers with me (they're usually much better than what any airline gives), and then leave them on the plane...
I will take mine off once we hit 10k feet and put them back on when the approach begins. I always have socks on (never fly in flip flops), and I'll use the extra socks and/or slippers the airline provides. If it's an airline I know that doesn't give great amenities, I'll usually bring the hotel slippers with me (they're usually much better than what any airline gives), and then leave them on the plane for trash after. This so all for both sanitary and emergency purposes, and only for flights longer than ~6 hours. Otherwise I just leave my shoes on.
It's not difficult to figure out. People just have an amazing lack of awareness.
I cringe when I see passengers board and deplane wearing sandals or flip-flops. They have no idea that take-off and landing are the times when one is most likely to have do deal with an emergency evacuation. You do not want to be evacuating a plane (especially if there happens to be a fire) in open-toed footwear.
I really don't get it even if you don't care about other passengers the floor is disgusting and probably never have been washed or cleaned properly on many airlines, why would you want to step barefoot on it?
In this world do ‘I will do what I like’ and NOT ‘I will do whatever is acceptable to others’ world, the rise of the selfish and ignorant is inevitable.
Those of us with feelings for our fellow passengers are not above educating the ignorant around us.
My post above should read:
In this world of ‘I will do what I like’ and NOT ‘I will do whatever is acceptable to others’.
The rise of the selfish and ignorant is inevitable.
Those of us with feelings for our fellow passengers are not above educating the ignorant around us.
My apologies for posting before reading the missive.