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4w ago

DOT Launches ‘Golden Age’ Air-Travel Civility Push, Urges Travelers to ‘Dress With Respect’

The non-binding PSA leans on FAA data about elevated unruly behavior ahead of the holiday rush.

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U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy speaks alongside Representative Lisa McClain (R-MI), Representative Tom Emmer (R-MN), and U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) during a press conference on air traffic controller pay and the government shutdown at the U.S. Capitol on October 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. The shutdown enters its fourth week, becoming the second longest government shutdown in history.
"Sometimes you just have to ask people, 'Hey, let's maybe go back to an era where we didn't wear our pajamas to the airport.' We actually might dress up a little bit."
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Overview

  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy unveiled a public campaign encouraging courtesy in airports and on planes, including a prompt to dress with respect.
  • The five-question checklist asks travelers to help others with bags, keep children under control, thank flight crews, use polite language, and consider their attire.
  • A PSA contrasts nostalgic scenes of well-dressed fliers with recent clips of fights and disruptive behavior to underscore worsening in-flight conduct.
  • DOT officials clarified that dressing with respect includes keeping shoes and socks on, noting airlines can bar barefoot or offensive attire under existing policies.
  • FAA figures cited by DOT show a 400% rise in in-flight outbursts since 2019 and roughly 13,800 incidents since 2021, with 2024 reports about double 2019 levels, while experts question whether messaging alone will move the needle without stronger enforcement or operational fixes.