Photo: Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo / Getty Images News / Getty Images
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is calling on Americans to stop wearing pajamas on airplanes as part of a new "civility campaign." Speaking at Newark Airport in New Jersey on Monday (November 24), Duffy expressed concerns over a "degradation in civility" among air travelers and encouraged a return to courteous behavior during the busy holiday travel season. He suggested that dressing with respect, such as wearing jeans and a decent shirt, could lead to better behavior on flights.
Duffy's campaign, titled "The Golden Age of Travel Starts with You," aims to restore courtesy and class to air travel, ensuring a safer and more pleasant experience for passengers and airline staff. The initiative comes in response to a significant increase in in-flight disturbances, which have surged by 400% since 2019, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Nearly one in five flight attendants reported experiencing a physical incident in 2021, and reports of unruly passengers remained high in 2024.
Etiquette experts like Diane Gottsman and Jacqueline Whitmore spoke to Fox News and said they support Duffy's message, emphasizing that attire affects behavior. Gottsman noted that pajamas should be reserved for private spaces, while Whitmore highlighted the concept of "enclothed cognition," where dressing intentionally can boost confidence and self-respect.
The campaign also encourages passengers to assist each other, such as helping with overhead luggage, as a gesture of common courtesy. Duffy believes that by uniting around shared values, Americans can feel more connected and enjoy a better travel experience.