The U.S. Wants Travelers to Stop Wearing Pajamas on Planes

Air travel in the U.S. has gotten tense. Crowded gates, short-tempered passengers, and exhausted crews have turned simple flights into pressure cookers.

That’s the backdrop for a new campaign from the U.S. Department of Transportation urging people to show up at the airport looking a little more awake. Not fancy or dressed up, just… not in pajamas.

Here’s what the campaign actually says.

Atmosphere on Board

The DOT’s message is part of a broader push called The Golden Age of Travel Starts With You. The goal isn’t fashion policing but an attempt to reset the tone inside airports and cabins.

Airline crews have been reporting a huge rise in mid-air incidents since 2019, with more arguments, aggressive behavior, and frustration boiling over during delays and boarding.

The agency believes a calmer environment starts with small habits. Clothing happens to be one of them.

Pajamas Became the Example

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy didn’t bring up pajamas for shock value. He used them as a symbol of the “roll out of bed and hope for the best” attitude that’s become common in airports.

He says travelers who look like they’re already half-asleep tend to approach the day with less patience, which becomes a problem once the crowds, lines, and delays hit.

The department isn’t asking anyone to dress up. Their benchmark is basic: jeans, a shirt, actual shoes. Enough to tell your brain you’re in public and about to deal with a long travel day.

A Push for Better Behavior

Clothing is only one part of the message. The campaign also highlights simple behaviors that often get lost when people are stressed: greeting crew members, lowering your voice during disruptions, following instructions without argument, and helping nearby passengers who are struggling with bags or kids.

The DOT also wants to reduce the routine frictions that escalate tension: people blocking aisles during boarding, filming crew members during disagreements, or unloading their anger on gate agents who have no control over weather or delays.

Holiday and winter travel weeks are when airports hit their limit. Flights run full, crews work longer days, and weather creates delays that affect dozens of cities at once.

The DOT says this campaign is meant to support crews heading into the busiest, most stressful part of the year. They’re hoping to remind travelers that tone spreads quickly inside a crowded cabin.

A few calm people can help the whole plane. A few irritated ones can do the opposite.

Will Anyone Be Enforcing This?

There’s no enforcement, no rules, no dress code, no penalties. Airlines aren’t being asked to police clothing, and nobody will stop you at the gate for sweatpants.

The DOT’s message is a nudge, not a regulation. Airlines still set their own appearance guidelines, and none of them ban pajamas. This remains a suggestion designed to influence behavior.

You’ll likely notice more reminders about courtesy at airports this season. Posters, messages, and press statements all echo the same idea: shifting the mood can make the travel day smoother for everyone.

Dressing in a way that signals you’re awake, aware, and ready to interact with people is part of that.

It doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort, simply not arriving at the airport dressed for the couch. That tiny shift can help you handle long lines, crowded gates, and delays with a clearer head.

Traveler Reactions

Reactions have been mixed. Some passengers say comfort matters most on a cramped flight, and the DOT should focus instead on legroom, fees, and overall reliability.

Others argue that pajamas aren’t causing the behavioral spike.

But many crew members and frequent travelers support the idea. They point out that tone really does change when the cabin feels “awake.”

People stand up straighter, make eye contact, and speak with more patience when they’ve put in even minimal effort.

Takeaways

Part of the reason this made headlines is simply the uniqueness of the message. Federal agencies rarely talk about airport outfits. But it also struck a nerve because it brings up a bigger debate around travel: comfort vs. courtesy.

If you’re flying soon, the simple takeaway is, be comfortable, but be present. Show up ready to deal with a long, shared experience with hundreds of strangers. It won’t fix delays or legroom, but it can make the day feel a little less like a battle.