To miss refined air travel?

Smart can also mean new. Additional cost

as long as people are decent let them choose their own clothes

you never know they may think you look like a stuck up joyless prude in your choice of clothes but they have slightly more manners and good behaviour ( things that do matter ) than to go and start a thread about it

What?! Quite a spiteful reply?!

OP objects to tracksuits so I doubt she would be happy with jogging bottoms.

I think you will need to fly your family in private planes.

Oh well done OP, you’ve just reminded me that I have an iced coffee in my hotel fridge that I purloined from the lounge on the way out as the one I had there was so nice.🤣

(You’d hate me, am quite happy to wear smart joggers in First.)

How ingenious!

I can usually tell what I'm doing without having to consult my clothes for clues. Happy it works for you, though.

@nomas

There's nothing wrong with wearing some smart jogging bottoms and a soft top.

The desription smart didn't fit the picture the OP presented though.

Try Stansted airport at about 6am. Hell on earth

I read somewhere only a few weeks ago that only 80% of the world's population has ever flown. I recently travelled on a train with a gentleman in his 40s that had never been out of London. He was shocked that there were "fields so close to London" In the 23 minutes it took to get to Reading he was beside himself with joy that he had seen real countryside. I encouraged him to head to the coast next as he has never seen the sea.

Have you written to the airlines ceo to suggest they introduce a dress code and ban fast foods from the lounges, the food is free so people take it, maybe you could suggest a slightly more upmarket menu.

I thought that, as I like to watch old episodes (just the UK ones, the US ones aren't my cup of tea). Everyone is so polished.

Also the accents! Lovely.

You see the same if you watch old adverts from the 80s.

What does presenting oneself well on a long haul flight look like?

A dress is too cold without tights in the aircabin longhaul.

Tights are too uncomfortable longhaul.

Jeans are uncomfortable longhaul.

Fitted trousers are uncomfortable long haul.

A skirt is too constricting and cold longhaul.

Some smart jogging bottoms and a soft top seem ideal for long haul. Why should women dress uncomfortably to please other people's eyes?

You don't have to be rich though to present yourself well.

I have never dressed smart (neither has my husband). You shower and change when you land and then go off to meetings. I have to agree with @GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER i would assume it’s their first time if they dress smartly.

Presumably it’s an economic decision. They always are. They’ll make more money this way. They’re not doing it out of charity.

Having read OP’s responses, I think they’re wrong too and have gone to the business lounge which is often like a zoo with slobs (IME). The first lounge at Gatwick requires Gold status and is not accessible through cabin booking. Unlike Concorde room at LHR which is accessed with first class cabin booking.

Looking presentable and behaving in a civilised manner has nothing to do with money.

Yes, but it’s usually pretty obvious whether it’s smart business dressing, or just ‘dressing up’.

When I was younger I used to dress up stylishly during my travels. I had to look good all the time :) Now during travels my priority is comfort. Who wants to wear a short skirt and heels on 8 hours flight? I don’t wear night pyjamas but my clothes are comfy more than stylish.

What do you wear during air travels?

I think she meant first class.

BA long haul flies from Gatwick. It's not more expensive to go to Heathrow. For many people it's more convenient to go to Gatwick.

I've flown business class from Gatwick loads of times for work (and on holiday to Barbados)

Or they have to dress smartly because they're working on arrival perhaps. Rather than having the freedom to choose what they want to wear on the flight.

I’ve flown long haul first class a few times, and you just don’t see people ‘dressed up’. If anyone is, I’d assume that it’s their first time and they assume it’s the norm. It isn’t.
Being comfortable, especially for long haul, is the most important thing.
As for BA pyjamas and flat beds, bliss on a long flight!

I’m gutted that Manchester closed the 1903 lounge, it was adults only and I could relax there ( I find airports and travelling hugely stressful) . The new lounge that relaced it allows kids in - Why? The other lounge has always been for families so now they get two and we get none.
I can remember the 90’s when flying Virgin atlantic economy to Florida or New York used to be a real treat, blanket/pillow/nice amenity bag,
the last time we flew with them was 2018 and it was a zoo, filthy seats, entertainment broken, no help yourself to drinks and snacks, kids running up and down the plane screaming.
I’ve not flown long haul since then and would now only do it if I could afford at least business class.

Maybe don't take commercial flights?