Like a lot of travelers, I have a pretty standard uniform when I fly: roomy sneakers with socks (in case my feet swell, and because who wants to walk through TSA barefoot?!); a t-shirt layered with a sweatshirt (you never know what the temperature will be on the plane); and a pair of leggings (because is there anything more comfortable when you're sitting for a long period of time?). But it looks like I, and countless other people, may have to rethink that last clothing item, as doctors are warning that you should never wear leggings when flying.
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Leggings can be a fire hazard on a plane.
In a recent interview with HuffPost, Christine Negroni, an aviation safety specialist and the author of the forthcoming book Don’t Wear Leggings on an Airplane ― and Other Lessons From Unhappy Landings, shared why leggings are problematic when flying.
"The issue with leggings is the nature of the material," she shared with the outlet. "You have a tight garment that is usually made from synthetic fibers, made from petroleum products, which is not something you want to wear on an airplane because the largest risk in a survivable air accident is fire."
For example, she said that during an emergency landing, you're more likely to be impacted by a fire stemming from the fuel on the plane rather than the impact of the crash.
"[A pair of leggings] is going to get very hot, it will either melt on your skin or cause serious burns, and that becomes something that will impact your ability to escape the aircraft," Negroni continued. "In other words, if you’re not damaged beyond an ability to exit, to get out of the airplane, then you might be affected by the fire."
They can also cause vascular problems.
If your leggings are super tight (especially if they're shapewear leggings), there's another reason you may not want to wear them while flying.
"These restrict movement and can quickly become uncomfortable, especially if you tend to experience bloating when traveling," Patrick Kenger, a personal stylist and image consultant for men, previously shared with Best Life.
Rene Armenta, MD, a board-certified bariatric surgeon for Renew Bariatrics, added, "Not only can the tight fabric restrict your breathing, but it could also dig into your skin during long hours of sitting."
But vascular problems are the more serious issue with wearing tight pants on a plane.
"Sitting for extended periods of time, especially on planes, can lead to blood pooling in the legs, increasing the risk for deep vein thrombosis ― a serious medical condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein of the leg," Hugh Pabarue, MD, a vein specialist with Metro Vein Centers, told HuffPost. "Wearing clothes that are too tight can potentially lead to conditions like compartment syndrome or meralgia paresthetica, causing numbness, tingling, and severe leg pain."
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Here's what you should wear when flying.
Experts agree that loose, breathable clothing is best for avoiding breathing problems and bloating. As for safety, Negroni recommends clothing made of cotton or other natural fibers that are not flammable.
She also advises travelers to keep their shoes on during takeoff and landing, even if the airline doesn't require it.
"If you escape an aircraft, the floor could be very hot or cold, it might be covered in oil or on fire, or in a cornfield—you won’t want to be barefoot," she explained in a previous interview with the The Sun.
"Mainly err on the side of caution," Negroni concluded. "Pick sneakers over high heels, pick natural fibers over synthetic, and take tight-fitting clothes over loose-fitting."
