Is it acceptable to travel in shorts and sandals?

I think that’s a really outdated old wives tale about the upgrades for those who are smartly dressed.

I wouldn’t even consider dressing up for a flight! Madness!

The nubuck insole on a Birkenstock gets very grubby at the best of times. A pair that you walk all day in and can occasionally run in are unlikely to be suitable for wearing in an enclosed confined space with strangers. You might not notice it yourself but your feel will smell.

In an emergency I really wouldn’t worry about a friction burn on an evacuation slide. Small issue compared to getting off an airplane especially when the chances of that happening are slim compared to the majority of flights where comfort is a priority.

@Grammarninja

And definitely don't be worrying about what shoes are best for an emergency escape 😂,surely none would be better should you end up in the water wearing a life jacket!

Maybe, but (and I'm offering the following for info, not to cause an argument) I gather from one of those involved that being shoeless caused a few 😲😳 for a few of the passengers who evacuated onto the hot runway at Vegas when a BA aircraft had a problem and abandoned on take-off there a few years ago.....

Exactly, I don't get it either. Unless you have an open wound, your skin coming into contact with a surface, however dirty it might be, is perfectly safe.

Dunno why everyone thinks planes are cold. I did quite a lot of long haul flights and have to wear short sleeves because I end up boiling.

And as for thinking shorts are “unhygienic” - would people not wear shorts on a bus or a train? Or to a medical waiting room? I cannot think planes are any dirtier. I don’t understand the paranoia about germs, this wouldn’t even occur to me.

This thread is hilarious! The days of dressing up for the airport ended in the 80s when all the luxury went out of airline travel. You should wear your most comfy option and only you know what that is for you. And definitely don't be worrying about what shoes are best for an emergency escape 😂,surely none would be better should you end up in the water wearing a life jacket!

I have no idea which way round your YABU and YANBU are.

It's just common sense 🤷‍♀️

The free flights are a perk of the job just like someone might get free private healthcare.

For info at BA at least unless it's changed tickets for leisure travel are not free....

In fact off season on one route for a while a staff standby ticket was more expensive than the equivalent, guaranteed to get on the flight commercial ticket bought through ba.com

Reason being staff travel.prices were based on a fixed matrix whereas commercial fares were subject to the whims of dynamic pricing.

I know someone who works for BA and they usually ( I far as I know always) get upgraded to business. The free flights are a perk of the job just like someone might get free private healthcare. They fly as often as they can and the main reason they work for BA.

@ClementineFortyNine

Im terms of upgrades, the PP is correct, it’s staff first and then frequent flyers (ie BA gold members over silver)

This wasn't my aisle in my working days but that doesn't sound quite right to me and might give the wrong impression.

I'm open to correction but if there's a need to look at upgrading passengers due oversales in economy then staff traveling on a basic economy staff standby ticket would probably not be upgraded before frequent flyers travelling on a commercial economy ticket.

It's slightly more complex if the staff traveller has bought a tier of ticket that has an upgrade entitlement.

Happy to be set straight by those in the know.

BTW I often feel chilly on planes so would never wear shorts anyway.

My Dsis who lives in the US was upgraded a few times on transatlantic flights, and she was always wearing ultra-casual relaxed - nothing remotely expensive. IMO they chose her a) because she was on her own, and b) because she’d come across as quietly spoken/polite, so prob. the last sort of type type to make the most of upgrade free drinks and become loud and obnoxious.

The sort of people who usually fly business/first class anyway, are very often dressed quite casually, as you would see in a FC/business airport lounge.

This. I have only ever been upgraded on long haul. They do indeed just move the business class on European flights to accommodate the number of bookings.

I travel long and short haul frequently. At least twice a month. I have frequent flyer status and I travel in what is most comfy. I would fly in shorts and Birkenstock as long as the shirt were long enough so my skin wasn’t touching the seat aa it’s uncomfy and unhygienic.

Im terms of upgrades, the PP is correct, it’s staff first and then frequent flyers (ie BA gold members over silver) and even then it will be solo flyers not groups.

I have been upgraded to business and that was without seeing what I was wearing as I check in online and travel hand luggage.

The Club Europe part of the cabin is moveable. They will set it up for the number of people who have club tickets. There won’t be any upgrades.

We normally holiday in September cos we don't have kids and schools have gone back, I usually try to wear something that will be warm enough in this country but cool enough for our destination. Last time i wore a thin long sleeve top under a linen jumpsuit. Wear what you are comfortable in, nothing worse than being uncomfortable on a flight.

Nothing looks less ‘put together’ than a sweaty old pair of travelled in linen trousers that have got creased to buggary around the crotch

I wouldn't travel in shorts just cos I'm always FREEZING on a plane. But avoiding shorts for a potential upgrade is crackers. Trackies all the way

I couldn't be friends with anyone who was 'horrified' at my choices for comfort on a plane. They sound dreadful

I wear shorts on the plane sometimes, about as short as those you’ve posted, and not had any issues. And I’ve seen many many others do the same.
I stick to trainers on my feet though for all above reasons: running through airport if needed, not wanting anything run over or dropped on my feet and generally just more comfy for walking around an airport in. On long haul I take fluffy socks so I can remove my footwear.
I always take a blanket so I can use if I get cold, or as a pillow.
Enjoy your holiday!!

not only emergency
imagine being stranded at an airport over night.
happens regularly

with being standed comes walking a lot inside the airport possibly outside waiting for busses, back in, being led to another area...