51 things to wear

What Should I Wear on a Plane

Soft layers, shoes that slip on, nothing a scanner minds: what to wear, part by part.

T-shirt or light shirt as the base layerA travel booking company’s guide starts with a light tee and builds the outfit up from there.
Zip-up hoodieEasy to shed in a warm cabin. TSA may ask for a layer with a full front zipper to come off.
Light jacket that comes off fastTSA lists windbreakers, vests, blazers and light jackets as layers to remove at the body scanner.
Several thin layersA British tour operator’s tip: pile on light layers to stay comfortable on board and after landing.
Loose topLoose-fitting clothes make a comfortable flight, a British airline’s cabin crew say.
Sweater or cardigan over a T-shirtCabin temperatures can swing from chilly to warm in minutes, a travel booking guide says.
Shirt in cotton, linen or another breathable fabricA booking company’s guide and a Singapore airline’s travel tips both name breathable fabrics.
Large scarf or travel wrapIt keeps you warm and can double as a pillow, a travel booking company’s guide says.
Warm jacket in your hand, if you land somewhere coldFly from heat to cold in light clothing and carry the jacket, a booking guide suggests.
Layers that peel off, if you land somewhere hotFor a flight from cold to heat, a booking guide says to wear layers you can remove.
Blazer, if you go straight to a meetingFrom a booking guide’s work-trip outfit. It dresses up a plain top and adds warmth.

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All 51 things to wear

Layers on top 11

Blazer, if you go straight to a meeting From a booking guide’s work-trip outfit. It dresses up a plain top and adds warmth.
Large scarf or travel wrap It keeps you warm and can double as a pillow, a travel booking company’s guide says.
Layers that peel off, if you land somewhere hot For a flight from cold to heat, a booking guide says to wear layers you can remove.
Light jacket that comes off fast TSA lists windbreakers, vests, blazers and light jackets as layers to remove at the body scanner.
Loose top Loose-fitting clothes make a comfortable flight, a British airline’s cabin crew say.
Several thin layers A British tour operator’s tip: pile on light layers to stay comfortable on board and after landing.
Shirt in cotton, linen or another breathable fabric A booking company’s guide and a Singapore airline’s travel tips both name breathable fabrics.
Sweater or cardigan over a T-shirt Cabin temperatures can swing from chilly to warm in minutes, a travel booking guide says.
T-shirt or light shirt as the base layer A travel booking company’s guide starts with a light tee and builds the outfit up from there.
Warm jacket in your hand, if you land somewhere cold Fly from heat to cold in light clothing and carry the jacket, a booking guide suggests.
Zip-up hoodie Easy to shed in a warm cabin. TSA may ask for a layer with a full front zipper to come off.

Bottoms 8

Belt that is quick to undo Outside the expedited lane a belt may go in the tray. Prague’s airport lists belts for it.
Dark jeans or wrinkle-resistant pants, for a work trip Part of a booking guide’s business casual outfit for a meeting right after landing.
Leggings or joggers Named with a soft T-shirt in a booking guide’s answer on the best outfit for a plane.
Long pants for the flight home from the beach A cabin crew’s warning: you might not be flying back to sunshine.
Long, loose dress A booking guide calls long, flowing dresses good for travel. Short, tight ones can feel cold.
Matching set, such as a tracksuit Comfortable and put together, a booking guide says. It names tracksuits for children.
Pants with an elastic or drawstring waist A tour operator warns against a waistband that digs in when you sit for hours.
Stretchy jeans On a booking guide’s list of bottoms that let you move, with joggers and yoga pants.

Shoes and the security line 11

Cap that folds into a pocket Headwear goes in the tray at Prague’s airport. A booking guide suggests hats that stow easily.
Lace-up shoes, if you fly within the US Since July 2025 passengers at US domestic airports can keep their shoes on at security.
Loafers or ballet flats A booking guide’s smarter alternatives to sneakers. Comfort still comes first, it says.
Pockets emptied into your carry-on TSA officers say to empty every pocket, even of tissues and mints, to avoid a pat-down.
Shoes already broken in A Canadian airline’s travel tips ask for comfortable shoes that you have worn before.
Shoes on your feet to board and to leave A New Zealand airline requires safe, appropriate footwear for boarding and getting off.
Shoes that come off easily, if you fly abroad Prague’s airport says officers may ask for your shoes, and it offers disposable covers.
Slip-on shoes Quickest where officers still ask for shoes. TSA officers called them best in 2023.
Sneakers with cushioned soles A booking guide’s pick for the hard floors and long walks of an airport.
Socks TSA officers advise wearing socks to the checkpoint.
Watch that slips off quickly Watches go in the tray with belts and coats at Prague’s airport.

For a long flight 8

Children in a T-shirt, then a sweater, then a jacket The three layers a booking guide gives for dressing children for a long flight.
Leggings, tank top, jersey dress and long cardigan One flyer’s long-haul outfit for 15 years, in tips a Hong Kong airline gathered from members.
Loose clothing with room to move A Canadian airline and a Singapore airline both ask for loose, comfortable clothing on board.
Pajamas for a baby or child on a night flight A booking guide’s advice for parents, with a soft blanket to bring along.
Pajamas or comfy clothes to change into What a British airline suggests before you recline your seat and sleep.
Shoes you can take off in your seat A British airline says you may slip them off to sleep. Put them back on to leave the plane.
Sweatpants with a sweater or a hoodie One flyer’s choice in the long-haul tips a Hong Kong airline gathered from its members.
Thick slipper socks to change into A British tour operator’s tip: put them on in place of your shoes once you are seated.

Leave in the bag 13

No back zipper or fiddly fastening A booking guide rules out clothes that are a struggle in a small bathroom.
No bare feet on board Two large US airlines’ contracts rule them out. One may refuse to carry a barefoot passenger.
No boots that lace up the calf They slow you down at the checkpoint, TSA officers say.
No clothes, shoes or jewelry heavy with metal TSA says to avoid a high metal content, to make an alarm and a pat-down less likely.
No flip-flops for the airport They offer little support, a booking guide’s answer on shoes for a long flight says.
No high heels in the airport On a booking guide’s list of shoes to avoid on a long flight.
No jumpsuit or romper Hard to manage in a cramped airplane bathroom, a booking guide points out.
No offensive clothing One US airline bans it outright. Another may refuse attire that risks offending passengers.
No oversize pullover with nothing under it TSA asks for bulky hoodies, big sweaters and ponchos to come off at the body scanner.
No shoes fresh out of the box A booking guide rules out shoes that are not yet broken in.
No skinny jeans or tight waistband Tight clothes are uncomfortable when you sit for hours, a booking guide says.
No strong scent in a shared cabin A booking guide asks flyers to think of the passengers beside them.
No tie until you land Leave it in your carry-on, a booking guide says.

How this list was compiled

The 51 things to wear or to leave in the bag, and the line under each, were written for this page on 2026-10-13; no list was copied. Each row follows a page read on 2026-10-13. Security: the Transportation Security Administration's page on security screening (https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening), its answer on preventing an alarm (https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/what-can-i-do-prevent-alarm) and its officers' checkpoint tips of August 2023 (https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2023/08/08/tsa-officers-share-top-six-checkpoint-dos-and-donts-travelers); the Department of Homeland Security's notice of 8 July 2025 that passengers keep their shoes on at domestic checkpoints (https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/07/08/dhs-end-shoes-travel-policy); Prague airport's page on its security check (https://www.prg.aero/en/security-check). Airlines: Delta Air Lines' domestic contract of carriage (https://www.delta.com/us/en/legal/contract-of-carriage-dgr) and American Airlines' conditions of carriage (https://www.aa.com/web/i18n/customer-service/support/conditions-of-carriage.html) for bare feet and attire; Air New Zealand's inflight wellbeing page (https://www.airnewzealand.com/inflight-wellbeing); Air Canada's health and travel tips (https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/plan/peace-of-mind/travel-tips.html); the cabin crew tips of the British airline Jet2 (https://blog.jet2.com/top-10-travel-tips-from-cabin-crew-hq); Virgin Atlantic's page on sleeping on a flight (https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/wellbeing-and-health/sleeping-on-your-flight.html); Singapore Airlines' travel tips (https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/no/plan-travel/local-promotions/no-singapore-airlines-travel-tips/); Cathay Pacific's collection of its members' long-haul tips, which are travelers' own reports (https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_US/inspiration/membership/cathay-members-long-haul-travel-tips.html). Travel companies: the long-haul tips of the British tour operator TUI (https://www.tui.co.uk/discover/top-tips-for-long-haul-flights) and Booking.com's guide to what to wear on a long-haul flight (https://www.booking.com/guides/article/flights/what-to-wear-on-a-long-haul-flight.html), which about half the rows rest on; it is one travel company's guide, not a rule. Checkpoint rules change and differ by country, and each airline sets its own rules of dress, so check your airport and your airline before you fly. Left out on purpose: compression socks and every other line about health, brands, shops, prices and anything about body shape. Licence: own work

How it works

What should I wear on a plane? Loose layers over a T-shirt, pants with a soft waist and shoes that slip on. These 51 things follow a travel booking company’s guide, airlines’ own pages and US security officers’ advice.

Read the full guide

What security asks you to take off

At the body scanner, the Transportation Security Administration asks for light outer layers with a full front zipper or buttons, such as windbreakers, vests and blazers, to come off, along with bulky clothing such as oversize pullover hoodies, large sweaters and ponchos. Travelers in its expedited lane keep belts and light jackets on. Rules differ abroad: Prague’s airport has coats, hats, belts and watches go in the tray.

Each airline sets its own rules of dress in its contract of carriage, so read your own airline’s before an unusual outfit.

Questions and answers

What should I wear on a very long flight?

The same loose layers, plus something to sleep in. A British tour operator suggests thick slipper socks in place of shoes once you are seated, and a British airline’s page on sleeping on board says to change into comfy clothes or pajamas.

Should I wear shorts on a plane?

The two US airline contracts cited here name bare feet and offensive clothing, not shorts. A British airline’s cabin crew do warn that shorts and flip-flops on the flight home may land you in cold weather.

Do I have to take my shoes off at airport security?

Not at US domestic airports: since July 8, 2025, passengers there keep their shoes on at the checkpoint. Elsewhere it depends on the airport. Prague’s, for one, says officers may ask you to remove them.