Danish flight attendant Sille Rydell has warned air travelers to avoid four specific clothing items on commercial flights for health and safety reasons.
Rydell, who shares travel advice on her TikTok channel Travel with SilleRydell, stated that she sees passengers wearing unsuitable clothes on almost every flight. She emphasized that while she does not judge anyone, avoiding these garments protects passenger physical comfort.
Many travelers prioritize style or saving hand luggage space without considering whether their outfit fits the reality of air travel. Rydell cited one passenger who chose to travel in a glamorous tracksuit decorated with rhinestones before highlighting four key items to leave in luggage.
The first item to avoid is flip-flops. Rydell explained that feet frequently swell during flights while cabin temperatures remain low. Furthermore, during an emergency evacuation where passengers must run quickly to exit doors, open footwear like flip-flops provides inadequate support and creates significant safety hazards.
Footwear hazards and seat exposure
Flight attendants are trained in emergency evacuation procedures, where clear passageways and proper footwear are critical for quick exit onto inflatable slides. At high cruising altitudes, commercial cabins are pressurized to about 8,000 feet above sea level, which naturally causes fluid retention and swelling in human feet and legs.
Shorts and crop tops form the second category of clothing Rydell cautioned against. She noted that aircraft environmental control systems run air conditioning at maximum strength. She also pointed out that passengers generally prefer to prevent their bare skin from coming into direct contact with public airplane seating.
Commercial airliner seats are touched by hundreds of passengers each week between deep cleaning routines. Health guidelines often recommend wearing long trousers or skirts to create a barrier between personal skin and airplane upholstery, reducing direct exposure to shared surfaces.
Tight clothing and temperature control
Skinny jeans are the third item on the cabin crew member's warning list. Rydell reminded travelers that cabin pressure shifts encourage body swelling. Sitting in restrictive denim for several hours is not only uncomfortable for the passenger but can also restrict circulation and harm health.
Finally, Rydell warned against wearing a single thin layer of clothing onto an aircraft. She explained that airplane interiors can get very cold even when flying to warm destinations. She advised passengers to bring a sweater or blanket that can be added or removed as temperatures change.
Instead of bare or tight outfits, Rydell recommended choosing comfortable, fully covered clothing arranged in multiple layers. Layered garments allow passengers to adjust easily to changing cabin conditions throughout long flights.
Airport security and travel guidance
The guidance aligns with previous reports published by Ukrainian outlet UNIAN Tourism regarding flight attire. The publication previously warned female travelers that certain underwire bra designs can trigger metal detectors and cause delays at airport security scanners. UNIAN Tourism also advised passengers to avoid clothes featuring metallic sequins on commercial flights.
