I want to be comfortable on the long flight but we get into Paris at 7:30 am and will be in those clothes until we can check into our room that afternoon. I understand people don't wear their knit/jogging suit type clothes in the city. When I think of comfort for sitting a long time, that's what I think of.
Also, do you wear your largest/clunkiest pair of shoes on the flight so they don't take up room in your luggage or do you wear something easier to slip on and off?
Thanks.
I always wear something that I will be comfortable in while sleeping sitting up in the planes seat.
I wear the heavyeat shoes.
I usually wear lightweight stretch denim, but if I plan on sleeping I will bring a thin pair of yoga pants in my carryon and go change once I'm on the plane.
Nancy, that sounds like a good idea. I want to wear something "loose" so it doesn't restrict me in any way.
I usually wear comfortable pants and bring a sweater--even if it's steamy outside. The blanket is never quite enough. I've worn my clunky hiking boots, but I have a pair of sandals in my carry on. Also, I've found that often the restrooms near customs are decent sized and a great place to freshen up.
Pam
Hi Connie, I always remove my shoes before the aircraft even leaves the ground and stow them in the overhead bin, but I keep a pair of flip-flops in my carry-on for moving about the cabin and trips to the lavatory. I've seen lots of teens in PJ's, but at 59, I'm a little old for that; but envious.
I wore LL Bean's "prefect fit" pants. Stretchy cotton knit in black w/boot cut legs and a stretchy Columbia sport shirt w/3/4 length sleeves over a sports bra. Felt like I was flying in my PJs! Also wore my clunky Keen's but those were the only shoes I brought. Maybe this is not elegant enough for Paris but I think the pants would do if you changed the top when you got there.
I wear black bootcut yoga/fitness pants - totally comfy and stretchy but fitted enough to look fine walking around the city once you get somewhere. Layers on top: thin t-shirt, fitted long-sleeved pullover, cardigan, jacket. Pashmina shawl. And my heaviest shoes - I loosen the laces so they can be easily slipped on and off for trips to the bathroom and walking the aisles every so often.
Hello Connie. You received good replies here. Now, I will expand the topic. When I fly to Europe, I leave my house in the morning, fly from the local airport to a big Airport (New York JFK, or ATLANTA). The flight across the Atlantic Ocean begins in the early evening. By the time I get in the airplane for the flight to Europe, I have been wearing my clothes for many hours. To avoid the possibility of having body odor in my undershirt and socks, which could be unpleasant for persons seated near me in the airplane, I change my undershirt and socks, and use deodorant, in a rest room in the airport, after I go through the airport security place. When I leave my home, I carry a clean pair of socks in a pocket of my jacket, and a clean undershirt (men's, cotton, short sleeves) in an other pocket of my jacket. At the international airport I removed my socks (old socks) from my feet, put those socks in a trash can. I put my undershirt in a plastic bag in my carry-on.
Wear comfortable shoes !
I wear layers. Layers give me the option to add or remove to stay comfortable on the plane. More often than not, you will want a sweater as the plane cools down at altitude.
You may not want to wear it when you board because it may be hot on the runway. It's not fun to start your trip being overheated and sweaty. I keep a daypack with warm stuff in my carryon. I pull it out when I stow my bag and put it under the seat in front of me.
As others have said, I'll wear clothes I can be comfortable in for twelve plus hours. Wrinkle free is a plus. I try to look presentable, if not fashionable, upon arrival so no pajamas or sweats.
Ron, I'll fly with you anytime. I've sat next to "not so considerate" flyers plenty of times. Everyone has listed great ideas. When I get on the plane I slip off my shoes and put on clean booty socks (the light ones that just cover your feet). Also, a small packet of wet wipes can really help freshen one up :) Have a great trip.
Yes Ron, I am very impressed with your consideration, I too wish everyone was so careful.
I wear my heaviest and warmest clothes on the plane, and my heaviest shoes. Always a sweater and a jacket( windbreaker type for summer travel) .
I layer too, so that once I arrive , I can take off enough to be comfy in just pants and a light t shirt or tank top since it is often so hot when you arrive somewhere else in summer.
I wear the most comfortable clothes I have.
The cabin can go from ice cold to sauna in minutes and back again so a nice comfy hooded sweatshirt is good and nice wool socks. The sweatshirt has the added benefit of being a nice blanket like feel. The hood helps keep out the distractions too when trying to sleep. I carry a change of clothes in the carryon and will change in the airport if I arrive early morning and cant checkin until afternoon. Always a good rule to carry a full set of clothes in carry on so that if they lose your luggage you have something clean to wear.
Hi Connie,
... about mid-ocean on a flight from Houston to Amsterdam, we saw a flight attendant spill a large, full pitcher of orange juice on a passenger.
... Accidents like that are rare, of course, but it would be a good idea to have a change of clothes in your carry-on ... just in case.
... bon voyage!...P
It is important to wear comfortable clothes, that's for sure!
As an (Incharge) F/A I look at all things from the standpoint of safety.
I would advise natural fibres as they provide a higher level of protection as opposed to synthetic fibres which in a fire will melt onto your skin. That's why our uniforms are 100% Virgin Wool as required by International Aviation Regulation.
Long pants and long sleeves will provide more protection in an Emergency as well.
Ever notice that just prior to critical phase of flight, Crew always have their longsleeved blazers on? It's actually a regulation we must follow so that we are more protected in case of an emergency.
Dress in removable layers. You'll appreciate a l/s removable over jacket even if it's a warm day outside. The back of the A/c can be chilly. Sports bras are also a good idea for comfort.
Shoes should be well broken in. Ideally lace up so they can be tightened and loosened. No flip flops or high heels.
(cont'd...)
In an emergency you want to be mobile with shoes that provide some protection against the hazzards found on the Cabin floor.
In an emergency, you will appreciate having taken these extra precautions. To some it might sound unnecessary, but from the standpoint of Flight Safety, it is necessary.
F/A
FA, because of your posts, my daughter is NOT wearing her flip flops on board the plane. I pointed out to her why it is not a good thing (safety), and she actually did not fight me on it. Thank you so much for posting about safety. I have always appreciated your advice.
Thanks for that, Eli. Your daughter is a smart girl. Before I became an F/A I gave very little thought to Flight Safety. Now I'm a Flight Safety avocate and educator. I can't help but carry that with me everywhere, including this site.
Safe Skies,
F/A
I think its really good that you can give the advice from the other side of the fence though FA :) its always good to get differing opinions :)
Connie -
To get that jogging suit feeling - take a look at the LL Bean Perfect Fit Pants. There are several colors - and they have great stretch - clean easily and pack great.
I wear these on most flights - you can dress up or dress down easily based on top and shoe selection.
I tend to wear the shoes that are easy removal - but if you are short on space (or weight) I would suggest wearing the large pair.
Thanks FA for your perspective and advice--sure made me think differently.
A couple of people have suggested LLBean's perfect fit pants but they are out of the bootcut lower waist version and won't get any more until later in the summer. I thought those were a staple in their catalog.
I'll have to see if I can find some that are natural fibers and stretchy--does that exist? Wouldn't the fiber that makes clothing stretchy be synthetic?
Cotton knit is stretchy.
I am also looking for something to wear on my July flight to Germany.
Land's End has a pair of pants called the Bootcut Weekend Pants. They are mostly cotton... 88% I think. If I can't find any that I like that are 100% cotton then I will go with these.
Thanks Cristina, I'll look at those.
Have you tried Travel Smith?
They are a bit pricey but are travel oriented and seem to have a lot of wrinkle-free stylish outfits - perfect for packing.
