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’ve been upgraded with BA several times. Once with my family of five. I always wear sports leggings and trainers. Status with the airline is what matters.

Wear whatever you’re comfortable in, so long it’s decent. I’d be freezing in shorts, planes are always cold, but you’re not me.

DH has Platinum status with BA as he travels frequently with work. Last time we flew we were in economy as we were paying for it ourselves, and we did get upgraded. I assume this was because of his status as we were told when checking into the lounge.

Unfortunately no upgrade on the return flight, but they did bring us a glass of champagne and serve our meals first, much to the confusion of the passengers around us. Was a bit awkward!

True, hopefully that's how it works...

I was maybe trying to head off any idea that if an upgrade is needed due oversales any staff get moved up before the frequent flyers...

As you rightly mention there are different classes of staff tickets, and if you're on a basic ticket of some sort you'll (probably) not get moved..in fact if it's really oversold you're.not even getting on...😱

lol

Back in the early 200s on my first NYC trip we got upgraded to business there and back on a overbooked BA. In trackies. We were there early that’s why and not because we were ‘put together’. There was a few upgrades and i’d say 90% were in trackies. I’m unsure if the rare upgrades are because of how people are dressed?

I just wear what’s comfy tbh. I would judge people in shorts or silk trousers. I wouldn’t wear shorts cos it can get chilly. But i’m not aiming for an upgrade either. I’m

You should secretly pay for an upgrade and wear your scruffiest shorts and sandals, then pretend you’ve been upgraded at the check in.

Unless some of you are frequent (business+ class) fliers in a loyalty scheme with the airline you are flying, I'd say your chance of an upgrade is zero. 🤣

Though I am amused by the idea of airline staff getting their kicks by staging impromptu Nicest Linen Trousers fashion shows for upgrades, OP, your friends are deluded.

Though it does explain to an extent the ongoing idea in some circles that you need a new ‘travelling outfit’ to go on holiday in.

I feel if I was in a position to upgrade people I’d choose the ones who looked like they could afford it the least.

Why? It does happen. It's a fair comment.

It’s incredibly rare and by that measure you should always be planning outfits based on the worst possible scenario

On a practical level, I wouldn't want my bare legs sticking to a plastic seat, or a scratchy aircraft one.

This. I travel often - particularly long haul - and the people who “dress up” for a flight really stand out - by looking odd!!

i personally always wear long trousers on flights as I get chilly. Soft jeans or cotton trousers for short haul, jogger style trousers for long haul.

Same here.

I also wouldn’t wear wide leg trousers when travelling due to plane toilets 🤮 Bad enough hovering over the seat without trying to keep your trousers out of the inevitable puddle on the floor. Most BA short haul only have one toilet at the front for business class, and two at the back for economy so they get very well used.

Large groups don’t usually get upgrades. It’s usually solo travellers. If it’s British Airways, the computer decides on upgrades and it is related to how much you spend with the airline, not your clothes. The exception would be when the cabin crew have to upgrade you due to some kind of problem eg your seat is broken.

BA don't give upgrades based on how you're dressed. It's done on status and only if the cabin is oversold.

Their short haul business class is shit, in any case. Its exactly the same seat.

I would never wear shorts on a plane from a hygiene point of view! Anything and everything has been spilled on those seats and cleaning turn around time is fast.

Also this. I would never get on a plane in shorts.

Linen and silk trousers 😂🙄

your friends need to get over themselves

Shorts are fine

They sound like utter pains. It's none of their business what you wear.

How many of you are there? The plane is likely to be an Airbus A320, which only has 12 first class seats.
Usually it's solo or pair travellers that get upgraded, and it's decided in advance, not at the point of boarding, so not based on appearances.

Wow, how is it any business of your friends what you choose to wear to travel in?! I'd completely ignore them and turn up in my shorts if I were you. I've never 'dressed up' to travel in in my life.

I’d freeze on a plane in shorts so I would be aghast as your suggestion. I fly in smart ish joggers, a hoodie and bring fluffy socks and a scarf for a blanket.

Sandals, no, I don't want to sit next to someone on a place who's got their bare feet out 🤢.

Wear what you like

I’ve never really found a plane to be that cold! I do plan on taking a jumper with me but for the evening - but it will match my planned outfit