Duffy Urges Americans to Dress Better While Flying: ‘Encourages Us to Behave a Little Better’

Mediaite ^ | November 24, 2025 | Ahmad Austin Jr.

[Miami Rebel]

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Monday urged Americans to dress better a way to alleviate stress while traveling during the holiday season.

Since the end of the government shutdown, Duffy has repeatedly claimed that air travelers have become more unruly and agitated in recent years. Part of his plan to return to a more courteous period of air travel is to emphasize the significance of dressing well on planes. The secretary has lamented the trend of travelers dressing in “pajamas” to make themselves more comfortable.

During a Monday press conference, Duffy theorized how improved dress could result in improved behavior in the sky:

But I think we have to think about, how do we do a better job? How do we maintain some of that frustration we have as we travel this Thanksgiving season? Maybe we should say a “please” and “thank you” to our pilots and to our flight attendants.

I think — again, I call this maybe “dressing with some respect.” Whether it’s a pair of jeans and a decent shirt, I would encourage people to maybe dress a little better, which encourage encourages us to maybe behave a little better. Let’s try not to wear slippers and pajamas as we come to the airport. I think that’s positive.

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TOPICS: Travel
KEYWORDS: airtravel; duffy; mtvrealworld

[DIRTYSECRET]

Does the same apply to blacks?

[Texas Eagle]

I see nuthink, I hear nuthink, I know nuthhhhhink. Egzept Herr Duffy und ich bist ein poopykopfs!

[Thank You Rush]

“”People used to wear a suit to Baseball games.””

And men wore hats...when I was a kid - men didn’t go anywhere without a hat...

[fidelis]

One time my hubby and I were bump up to first class ( when first class was really first class) because we were dressed nicely.

There's no question that people treat you more respectfully when you dress nicely. I'm one for who wearing a suit and tie is no big sacrifice; I wore a uniform all my professional life and you learn how to keep sharp and tidy. Now that I'm retired, I only wear a simple suit and tie on Sunday for church, but if I go somewhere after for breakfast or whatever, people perceptibly treat you with more respect.

[jeffersondem]

When aircraft personnel sees someone that acts and dresses like they have some sense, I can’t help but hope they will treat that traveler with the respect due.

Does the slob that acts and dresses like a slob deserve the same respect and courtesy?

Yeah, I guess.

[jeffersondem]

“What Duffy fails to take into account is that air travel in that “golden age” was the preserve of the wealthy.”

Maybe. It still rankles me when the adult son shows up at his moms funeral in a dirty tee shirt.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

I travel a lot and this is what I have been thinking for years.

Why is it that most Americans that travel look like homeless slobs or drunk and drugged out peasants?

It’s absolutely embarrassing.

Not only that but their manners are non existent.

Our entire society is circling the drain and it’s refreshing that someone in government admits that folks need to shape up big time.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

I like your mindset.

Wife beater dude should never have been allowed to board.

People’s etiquette these days is comparable to farm animals.

[cherry]

Listen as long as they keep shoving people in nose to nose they are going to get agitated,irritated and unhappy passengers and because the airlines treat people so badly why should they dress better?......I can understand first class and now second class but below that you’re just another piglet.

[Fiji Hill]

,i>At least ban flip-flops. But I digress, I don’t fly anymore.

I don't wear flip-flops, but I would often wear sandals while flying because they're easy to take off and put back on when going through security. Thanks to Trump, we no longer have to do that anymore.

I also wear pants that can stay up without a belt, and I try to avoid anything with metal buttons or zippers.

[Sequoyah101]

Jeans and sweater is definitely a seed to the nines compared to many I see.

[HombreSecreto]

If he wants that, he needs to Re-regulate the airlines.

Cut back flights, guarantee a rate of return, raise fares, improve service. Drive the ratchet people back to Greyhound.

Bring back the cute stewardesses and dump the guys.

Bring back Pan Am.

[alexander_busek]

If he can promise me that I won’t be sleeping in the waiting area because my flight has been cancelled for two days, I will wear a tuxedo and top hat. But that isn’t going to happen. So its jeans and a sweater.

What about: Forced to partially disrobe as part of the Security Check?!

Do you know how arduous it is, to remove one's cuff-links, tie clip, belt buckle, silver-plated cigarette case, gold pocket watch with chain and fob, shoes, cummerbund, etc.?!

Regards,

[alexander_busek]

No pajamas.

I'm surprised that no enterprising, forward-looking fashion company hasn't already designed a collection of one-piece "flight pajamas," replete with footsies - to speed passage through "Security" and allow a modicum of comfort in cramped plane seats! Should include a built-in inflatable neck cushion, pouch for passport and - most importantly - the ever-necessary smartphone!

I'm thinking that a normal adult garbed in this raiment would look like an oversized Teletubby.

Regards,

[vivenne]

I think Duffy is saying jeans and a sweater would be fine. It’s pajamas and slippers that he is hoping to do away with. He is not wrong.

[TheRake]

The airlines treat people like animals.

…

I don’t fly a lot, but when I do, I fly Delta. Never been treated like an animal

[TheRake]

lol! Go get em HT!

[HartleyMBaldwin]

Don’t forget the drop seat for the TSA exam.

[Dr. Sivana]

My preferences have as much sway as Duffy's, which is to say zero.

If we just cede things out of hand, we never get anything. I remember some Dems were trying to revive CETA! Reagan killed it 40 years ago. They will be fightingfor NPR and USAID 40 years from now if it stays defunded.

Here's why this is a good PSA. So many public service announcements are put on by Ad Council and broadcast stations. Currently, most of the ads tend from the obvious and innocuous ("Only You Can Prevent Wildfires") to the politically correct ("Diversity", Enviro-Wackoism). If we must have PSAs, I'd like to see something positive like this one, if only because of the useless ones it replaces.