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Original poster

Is it acceptable to travel in shorts and sandals?

334 replies

sevenwonde · 27/06/2026 10:47

Help! The friend group is split on this one and it is largely tongue in cheek

We’re off on a girls holiday soon. Half the group thinks it’s fine to travel in shorts and sandals (Birkenstocks), the other half thinks you need to look put together in the airport and dress in a nice outfit (linen, silk trousers etc), in case of an upgrade. They think the nicer you’re dressed the less likely you are to be asked to check your bag at the gate etc.

So, is it acceptable?! They’re not tiny shorts that show my bum cheeks!

OP posts:
MissMoneyFairy · 27/06/2026 17:08

Cotton or cargo kneelengths would be better, more practical, those look like knickers

Original poster
sevenwonde · 27/06/2026 17:01

daleylama · 27/06/2026 17:01

ok..look much shorter in the pic

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I’ve sized up, so that they’re nice and roomy

OP posts:
daleylama · 27/06/2026 17:01

sevenwonde · 27/06/2026 16:58

They fall to about three inches above my knee, there’s nothing explicit about my thigh

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ok..look much shorter in the pic

Original poster
sevenwonde · 27/06/2026 16:58

daleylama · 27/06/2026 16:57

sorry- but they are way too short for a plane trip. Just as a courtesy I would never have bare flesh on a plane seat and would put something underneath me if I do. You're on it for hours not minutes.

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They fall to about three inches above my knee, there’s nothing explicit about my thigh

OP posts:
daleylama · 27/06/2026 16:57

sevenwonde · 27/06/2026 16:52

I mean I’m overweight but I don’t think they’re that bad. They’re these shorts from m&s

https://www.marksandspencer.com/satin-polka-dot-printed-shorts/p/clp61221961?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

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sorry- but they are way too short for a plane trip. Just as a courtesy I would never have bare flesh on a plane seat and would put something underneath me if I do. You're on it for hours not minutes.

OneBlueFinch · 27/06/2026 16:55

Imlyingandthatsthetruth · 27/06/2026 10:52

Where are you flying? 'Cos there ain't no upgrades on flights to Europe...

Oh yes there are ! 😊

Original poster
sevenwonde · 27/06/2026 16:52

daleylama · 27/06/2026 16:04

Thigh pic required. Also pic of shorts in question. Its seriously a question of more things than length.

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I mean I’m overweight but I don’t think they’re that bad. They’re these shorts from m&s

https://www.marksandspencer.com/satin-polka-dot-printed-shorts/p/clp61221961?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

OP posts:
WolfinSheepsDress · 27/06/2026 16:44

catslovehairties · 27/06/2026 10:54

I don’t own any linen or silk trousers so I’d be very unpopular with your friends 😂

Me neither

SweepSqueaks · 27/06/2026 16:42

The last time I flew you could put in a bid to pay extra if there were any upgrades and I suppose the highest bid gets the upgrade.

SweepSqueaks · 27/06/2026 16:40

They won’t even be able to see your trousers at the desk. My dh is always getting upgraded but he travels a lot and he’s on his own. He wears jeans.

Daftypants · 27/06/2026 16:17

I don’t like the idea of my bare legs on the seats , so I wear loose fitting trousers and a t shirt .
i wear something tidy but not “nice “

daleylama · 27/06/2026 16:05

sevenwonde · 27/06/2026 14:27

It’s disrespectful to wear mid thigh length shorts?

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I was thinking rgds the culture of the country they are travelling to- not just the plane..cos then you have airport to destination

daleylama · 27/06/2026 16:04

sevenwonde · 27/06/2026 14:27

It’s disrespectful to wear mid thigh length shorts?

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Thigh pic required. Also pic of shorts in question. Its seriously a question of more things than length.

Shoola · 27/06/2026 15:28

I used to get upgraded as a teenager in jeans and hoodie. I assumed it was because I was flying alone and booked via my Dad's work.

MiddleAgedDread · 27/06/2026 14:31

Dress for comfort, the changes of an upgrade are next to none unless you’ve got a high status of frequent flyer membership.

Original poster
sevenwonde · 27/06/2026 14:27

daleylama · 27/06/2026 14:18

Define normal. Knee length ( so your sweaty bum and legs aren't on the seat)- no-one should object and would be acceptable in most countries.. Anything shorter, crawling up your bum , absolutely not Disrespectful all round. Up to you rgds footwear - dress for the emergency and wear something you could slide / run in. Its a plane not a train, and it'll be you suffering / causing problems for others otherwise. On the other hand, throwing on a party frock and heels is ludicrous.

Edited
Show quote history

It’s disrespectful to wear mid thigh length shorts?

OP posts:
daleylama · 27/06/2026 14:18

sevenwonde · 27/06/2026 13:05

Not in normal shorts!

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Define normal. Knee length ( so your sweaty bum and legs aren't on the seat)- no-one should object and would be acceptable in most countries.. Anything shorter, crawling up your bum , absolutely not Disrespectful all round. Up to you rgds footwear - dress for the emergency and wear something you could slide / run in. Its a plane not a train, and it'll be you suffering / causing problems for others otherwise. On the other hand, throwing on a party frock and heels is ludicrous.

notimagain · 27/06/2026 13:56

Thechaseison71 · 27/06/2026 13:52

BA has loads of flyers with silver and above status Just take a look at the boarding groups 1 and 2 at Heathrow. Half the plane boards in them

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Yes yes yes..believe me I know that...

I'm just being a picky sod (as usual) and pointing out that being a Gold, Silver, Bronze, Blue Cardholder or whatever it is these days is not always necessary for an upgrade, which is what I think was being claimed.

Thechaseison71 · 27/06/2026 13:52

notimagain · 27/06/2026 13:47

They’re not going to upgrade you either way unless you’re a Gold or Platinum member of their airline club. They have no reason to.

it depends...

This is really one for the ticketing experts but as I've always understood it If the airline has oversold economy and there's room in business Class the airline will upgrade some economy passengers to avoid denying travel...and that's the reason - it avoids paying comp (EU261 etc)

Priority for upgrade would be on points/loyalty scheme membership but if there aren't enough of those it's possible Mr/Mrs Random with no links to the loyalty schemes might get a pleasant surprise.

Edited

BA has loads of flyers with silver and above status Just take a look at the boarding groups 1 and 2 at Heathrow. Half the plane boards in them

notimagain · 27/06/2026 13:51

UhOhRatPoo · 27/06/2026 13:50

Edited as comment repeated what PP had already said, sorry.

Edited
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Oh agreed, usually you'll find someone suitable, but possibly not always.

UhOhRatPoo · 27/06/2026 13:50

notimagain · 27/06/2026 13:47

They’re not going to upgrade you either way unless you’re a Gold or Platinum member of their airline club. They have no reason to.

it depends...

This is really one for the ticketing experts but as I've always understood it If the airline has oversold economy and there's room in business Class the airline will upgrade some economy passengers to avoid denying travel...and that's the reason - it avoids paying comp (EU261 etc)

Priority for upgrade would be on points/loyalty scheme membership but if there aren't enough of those it's possible Mr/Mrs Random with no links to the loyalty schemes might get a pleasant surprise.

Edited

Edited as comment repeated what PP had already said, sorry.

notimagain · 27/06/2026 13:47

They’re not going to upgrade you either way unless you’re a Gold or Platinum member of their airline club. They have no reason to.

it depends...

This is really one for the ticketing experts but as I've always understood it If the airline has oversold economy and there's room in business Class the airline will upgrade some economy passengers to avoid denying travel...and that's the reason - it avoids paying comp (EU261 etc)

Priority for upgrade would be on points/loyalty scheme membership but if there aren't enough of those it's possible Mr/Mrs Random with no links to the loyalty schemes might get a pleasant surprise.

UhOhRatPoo · 27/06/2026 13:47

RampantIvy · 27/06/2026 12:21

Why on earth not?
Last year I visited Liverpool when it was 34 degrees. There is no way I would want to be sweating in trainers or other enclosed shoes at those kind of temperatures. It was flat sandals all the way.

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I wear nothing but sandals all summer when not at work. I’m doing living in London all wrong it would seem?
(that was to @Miranda65 not you @RampantIvy !)

oliviaAustin · 27/06/2026 13:36

They’re not going to upgrade you either way unless you’re a Gold or Platinum member of their airline club. They have no reason to. The only times I got upgraded were because the airlines had a note by my name due to the highly relevant job I used to have that meant I assessed their performance. I left the industry and no more upgrades lol.

Shorts or fancy silk you’re remaining in economy.

Nesbi · 27/06/2026 13:35

Are your friends imagining that there is going to be a block of unused seats in a better class on a short haul flight to Mykonos in the summer, and the airline staff will look at your group and think - gosh, they are dressed nicely, let’s give all of them a free upgrade?

i mean…bless them, but no. Wear something comfortable.

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