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’d like to talk about this topic in a bit more detail. Is it ever okay to be barefoot on a plane?
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?
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