Is it acceptable to travel in shorts and sandals?

[sevenwonde]

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!

I travel BA most weeks and can confirm upgrades are very rare. If you have starts you may be offered a “discounted” rate, but it’s still normally ££ and not worth it for short haul.

agree with others about plane being cold but really, wear what you want. The amount of teens/20’s I see wearing hot pants and hoodies to airport is mind blowing. Each to their own i guess 🤷🏽‍♀️

I don't like the idea of sweaty bare\sandled feet in a tight enclosed space.

Knock yourself out with the shorts but wear trainers or shoes.

They're not going to upgrade a group. And even if they did upgrade anyone, it's really not worth it in short-haul as they're the exact same seats, just with nobody in the middle. Don't think BA even do proper meals on short-haul either anymore. Unless you intend to get absolutely bladdered and only drink champagne, the only reasons for Club Europe are the lounge - which you wouldn't get with an upgrade - and being first off to get through security quicker - which wouldn't make any difference if you had to wait for the rest of the group. I'd find a skirt more comfortable than shorts personally, but sandals definitely. Definitely not silk or linen as you'd look such a state on the other end with all the wrinkles. And it's much more important to make a good impression at the hotel as they'll be the ones looking after you!

You're flying to Mykonos, it's warm, it's in Greece, your shorts are not inappropriate, everyone is in flip flops, you'll be fine.

My husband gets upgrades but it's mainly because;

• he's a single traveller (although maybe you all are if you booked separately)
• he is a BA club member and has silver status (which isn't amazing but it puts him on the list and he comes after plat and gold members)
• he does think rocking up in a suit and looking like a sensible business person helps- but linen trousers don't give that vibe anyway.

I just think go comfy, it's only a European flight, having flown Club Europe with BA a few times on avios points, it's not like proper business class anyway. It's the normal 3 seats but they just turn the middle seat into a little table for you and you do get a free champers on take off. Otherwise it's an identical flight really, you wouldnt be missing out on a lie flat bed. Tbh, the money you save not buying silk or linen trousers you'd be able to buy yourself the glass of champagne and still have money left over. So even if they were right, and all got an upgrade, you'd be better off!! The only thing I'd avoid is dressing inappropriately because I've seen a few reports of airlines refusing boarding if they think you need to cover up. I also find all planes cold, so you might want a hoodie just in case the air con is too much.

Yeah but it is a general opinion that her friends have. Not just the opinion for this one flight. That’s why I’ve answered this way

Ah got it, thanks.

I wouldn’t wear shorts because I don’t like the feel of the leather seats against my legs. I normally just wear trainers or sandals, wide leg linen trousers and a t-shirt. I also have a lightweight shawl/scarf/sarong that I wear if it gets cold on the plane.

Unless you're travelling by an airline that offers upgrades, then an upgrade is unlikely to happen regardless what you're wearing. If you're travelling by Ryanair, an operator like TUI/Jet2 or easyJet, then other than extra leg room, there's not much of an upgrade to have.

Wear what you feel comfortable in.

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.

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

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

They don’t in person! They’re longer, I’ve worn them to work before lol