A popular question we get is about dress codes for various airlines. It seems quite varied from airline to airline. Generally, the rule of thumb is to err on the side of caution and dress in business casual attire. So no tennis shoes (sneakers, trainers), no shorts, no open toe shoes, no exceptionally short skirts, no jeans and wear a collared shirt. So be conservative and professional.
I remember years ago Delta used to make the men wear suits and ties except to Hawaii. Also, no jeans were allowed in First Class.
What is the dress code for your airline? What’s been your experience as you travel?
passrider.com.
JetBlue:
Acceptable: Attire which is clean, well maintained and in good taste. Shirts with sleeves and collars, tee-shirts, walking shorts (not shorter than 3″ above the knee), nice jeans/denims, dress slacks, skirts, dresses, jogging suits, dress shoes, open-toe shoes, and nice sneakers.
Not Acceptable: Attire that is torn, ragged, slashed, dirty, frayed, low cut, skimpy, or revealing. Attire with offensive or sexually oriented inscriptions or messages, halter/tube/midriff tops, sweats of any kind, leggings, beach or swim wear, body piercing, tattoos (cover from view), flip flops and shoes that are dirty, stained, or worn in appearance.
Jumpseat Dress Code: Cabin jumpseat riders will be neatly dressed in their uniform or business casual attire (no jeans, sneakers, or open toe shoes). They shall display their Company ID on their person while occupying any cabin jumpseat. The cabin jumpseat rider will be well groomed and will have a professional manner.
Jumpseat dress and behavior requirements:
Attire for any jumpseat is business casual. Additionally, jumpseat riders must act professionally and display their company ID at all times while occupying a jumpseat.
Acceptable: Shirts with sleeves and collars; dress slacks or capris; skirts; dresses; dress or casual shoes; coordinated pant or dress suits
Not Acceptable: Shorts; T-shirts of any kind; jeans/denim of any type; open-toed shoes or sandals; sweat suits or sweatshirts of any type; tennis shoes or sneakers; halter/tube/midriff/spaghetti strap tops; leggings; visible tattoos or body piercings.
Delta:
Relaxed dress code. Pretty much anything as long it’s not offensive (like a t-shirt with profanity or something) or revealing.
Jumpseating: Uniform or business casual.
Continental:
A pass rider’s overall appearance should be well-groomed,
neat, clean and in good taste. Attire should be respectful of fellow revenue passengers, employees and pass riders.
The following attire is still unacceptable in any cabin:
• Any attire that reveals a midriff.
• Attire that reveals any type of undergarments.
• Attire that is designated as sleepwear, underwear, or swim attire.
• Mini Skirts
• Shorts that do not meet 3 inches above the knee when in a standing position.
• Form-fitting lycra/spandex tops, pants and dresses.
• Attire that has offensive and/or derogatory terminology or graphics.
• Attire that is excessively dirty or has holes/tears.
• Any attire that is provocative, inappropriately revealing, or see-through clothing.
• Bare feet
• Beach-type, rubber flip-flops
AirTran:
Don’t know about jumpseat, but non-rev basically no denim. I find though the nicer you look, the better you are treated.
Alaksa/Horizon
Conservative attire is always appropriate. Neat, clean and well-groomed appearance for travel in either first or coach class. Frayed, tattered or soiled clothes and bare feet are never appropriate. Non-revenue passengers are expected to use their own good judgment, but boarding agents will have the final authority to refuse travel for inappropriate attire or appearance.
Nonrev travel on other airlines, travel on company business
The following guidelines reflect generally acceptable attire for nonrevenue travel on other carriers (although standards vary from carrier to carrier), as well as Horizon travel on company business:
* Male: A jacket is usually mandatory and maybe a suit (business or leisure) or sport coat. Slacks (dress or casual) are required. Dress shirts and ties are preferred; however, turtle neck sweaters or open collar dress shirts are usually acceptable.
* Female: Females should wear a suitable dress, business suit or coordinated slacks outfit.
* Child: All children should be well groomed and well dressed in clothing suitable for traveling.
* Unacceptable attire: Work jeans; clothing that is stained, frayed, soiled, tattered or untailored; cutoffs; short shorts; short skirts (shorter than 3 inches above the knee); t-shirts; sweatshirts with a written message; tank tops; bare midriffs; halter tops; and bare feet or shoes without socks.
In the jumpseat
Jumpseat riders must follow the guidelines of the Flight Operations Manual, which states that personal appearance for all flightdeck jumpseat riders is to either be in uniform or the following:
* For men, business attire is preferred, and slacks and shirt with collar are acceptable.
* For women, appropriate attire is a dress or suit (including pantsuit), or skirt or dress slacks with coordinating dress blouse or sweater.
Alaska is pretty casual. Jeans/Denim is ok as long as long as they are not torn and or dirty. Polo shirts are ok as well. Blazers and Ties are Not mandatory.
Air Wisconsin Airlines Corporation –
All passengers, including crewmembers, traveling on discounted or non-revenue tickets (i.e., ticketing used for pleasure travel or commuting purposes) are expected to dress in accordance with public standards of good taste includeing being neat, clean, and well groomed. Industry personnel must adhere to Air Wisconsin and US Airways dress requirements.
The judgement of Customer Services will prevail in all matters pertaining to dress code. Pass and reduced rate travelers will be refused transportation if their attire is inappropriate.
Coach class: Acceptable attire includes shorts, casual shirts, denim and athletic shoes.
First and Envoy Class: Acceptable attire includes business or business casual clothing. The follwoing guidelines must apply:
A. Men (age 12 and older): Dress slacks, khakis, Dockers, or cords; polo, dress or sport shirts; colored denim is permitted; appropriate shoes and socks are required.
B. Women (age 12 and older): Dress pants, pant suits or slacks, khakis or cords, dresses or skirts; blouses, polo shirts or sweaters; appropriate shoes are required (hosiery is not).
C. Military attire: Only dress uniforms are permitted in First or Envoy classes when traveling on non-revenue passes.
D. Blue jeans, blue jean jackets, collarless shirts, t-shirts, tank tops, athletic wear, jogging suits, seat suits, shorts, micro or miniskirts, bare shoulder, spaghetti-strap tops or dresses, or any attire that allows a bare midriff, athletic shoes, flip-floops, sandals are NOT permitted.
Unacceptable attire in ANY class of service includes clothing in disrepair, pajamas, clothing with offensive words or phrases, torn jeans or shorts, swimwear or slippers.
I was a bit surpised at the attire worn by some non-rev standby pax during my last trip. Seems that Delta has relaxed their standards too much in my opinion. I would be ashamed to have someone find out I was traveling non-rev and dressed as some that we observed. Cone on Delta non-revs, lets look better. After all we do represent our company.
Yeah when I worked for Delta we still had some pride in the way we presented ourselves. Seems that some not all of the NRSA’s rather not take pride in there looks. Sad to see. Heck flying is not a right it is a gift.