Is it acceptable to travel in shorts and sandals?

Wear what you prefer, personally I prefer dresses as I find them more comfortable. You are not getting an upgrade

The last time I was on a plane it was for a 10 hour flight.
They were lucky I even bothered to put a bra on.
Loose fitting t-shirt, sweat pants with an elasticated waist and sandals.

Some of your friends think they are living in a 90’s romcom. If your outfit is suitable to wear in a nice UK shopping centre, then it’s fine for your average holiday travel.

That's not how they choose upgrades

Absolutely fine as long as you don’t take your shoes off and poke your bare feet through the gap between the seats in front! 😁 (And yes that has happened to me!)

I work in International Trade Deals and purchase 50 seats with BA to take CEO’s around the world, I’ve just returned from San Diego and I’m off to Japan next. I’ve yet to be upgraded but do keep trying, Birkenstocks definitely hinder your chances.

This is hilarious. I’m assuming the friends who think one needs to dress up for air travel are either ancient or have never flown before? Won’t they check in online before they go? Where do they expect to see this magic fairy that will upgrade them? And how naive to think that ground staff will be impressed by their linen and think that they couldn’t possibly travel with the prols?! I’m just imagining a whole load of Hyacinth Buckets rocking up in their creased linen expecting the red carpet! 😂

Why not?

How often has it worked for your friends?

I think an upgrade on BA to Mykonos literally means the middle seat of three is left empty. At least that's what business is on most of their short haul flights.

Flying with BA out of LHR terminal 5, you never interact with ground staff at all; there’s no point in “trying to make a good impression” because there is nobody to impress. Wear what you like.

Can you afford to go on shorts and pay for an upgrade then pretend you were randomly upgraded?

I would be freezing on a plane in shorts and sandals if with the air con on however linen and silk will be horribly crumpled after a short time so you are all BU!

Don’t know where your friends are coming from as I thought most people travelled in joggers and a T shirt. I’ve never been on a plane where upgrade was an option though.

Personally I don’t see anything wrong in wearing shorts as a garment - but I would bear in mind the temperature in the UK when you are leaving, aircon on the plane, and if it’s an evening flight it won’t be that hot when you get there anyway.

I tend to see people in shorts on planes mainly on a return journey as I always hope they’ve got something warm in their hand luggage for when they land.

Absolutely fine if travelling during the UK Summer. I do find people in Summer clothes during the winter months a bit odd looking.

Those shorts look like summer pyjama shorts. Dont wear them to the airport

I am obvs never put together as always shorts and flip flops etc or maybe a skirt.in the summer ☀️ would rather be comfy always

Ignoring the slim to non-existent chance of an upgrade, I’ve flown in shorts and a t-shirt in business class, premium economy and economy. And I’m not a small person.

On long haul business class I always wear comfy elasticated waist trousers and a t-shirt and hoody. The length of the trousers varies from full leg to Bermuda short length. I usually wear trainers in the airport but always have flip flops in my carry on.

Last time I flew to a Greek island, it was middle of the summer and I dressed for the weather in capri shorts, a t-shirt, cardigan (in case the plane was cold) and a pair of sandals. I would say that so did about 50% of the plane. The rest were either in dresses of varying lengths or leisure wear. There were no silk trousers in sight.

This is the maddest thread I've read in forever. Your friends are ridiculous. It's not the 1970s, you're not going to get randomly selected for an upgrade. There really is no need to dress up. Have they been on an airplane before? Wear something comfy - the shorts are perfect.

I travel a lot (both economy and business) and those shorts are right up my street. I usually wear something light loose cotton and have a giant scarf with me and pair of sunglasses. I wear Birkenstocks which I kick off on the plane and replace with travel socks. My bag has a book, earphones, empty refillable water bottle, moisturiser and a travel toothbrush pack - you know practical stuff.

People are being really weird here.

They are short, skin will be on seat. Airplanes can be cold. Airports too. I wear nice light loose pants with an easy top. On sun holidays I put shorts, t in my on board bag to change into on landing. I wear sandals (elegant slip on Riekers) or runners. Good quality runners when I know the airport requires a lot of walking. Birks are lovely.

You won’t be getting an upgrade in a group. That’s nonsense. Your friends are delusional.

I often wear denim shorts (Bermuda style so longer) and sandals. I wouldn’t wear those shorts as a very slim tall person as they look like they would be very short on me and therefore my legs would sweat and stick to the seat!

The only time I've been upgraded I was on my way home from an archaeological dig looking like I was homeless - dusty and crumpled. This was in the days when you had to check in at a desk with an actual person. God only knows what the criteria were but I ended up in first class!

Bear in mind it can get surprisingly cold on the plane.

We recently flew BA business to Seville via Madrid (my DH hates economy) and it was ClubWorld proper business class on the Heathrow-Madrid leg and on the way back.. Nice surprise. You can get good deals if you are a frequent flyer and we have BA Amex cards and collect Avios that way.

A couple of years back we were upgraded to Business from Premium Economy on a flight to Johannesburg. This happened at the gate so we didn’t get the chance to go to the business class Lounge! I was wearing jeans and trainers.