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Duffy Launches Air-Travel Civility Push, Urges Flyers to Skip Pajamas and Show Courtesy

Citing FAA reports of a sharp rise in unruly behavior since 2019, the DOT is rolling out a civility message ahead of an exceptionally busy Thanksgiving travel week.

Overview

  • Branded “The Golden Age of Travel Starts with You,” the campaign features a video and a five-question checklist urging travelers to dress with respect, help others with bags, mind children, and thank crews.
  • DOT and FAA data used to justify the effort include a roughly 400% increase in in‑flight outbursts since 2019 and about 13,800 unruly passenger incidents reported since 2021.
  • At a Newark Airport briefing, Secretary Sean Duffy asked passengers to avoid slippers and pajamas, keep shoes on, and use headphones, framing small courtesies as a way to reduce tensions.
  • The push has drawn online and political ridicule, including jabs from California Gov. Gavin Newsom and a resurfaced image of RFK Jr. barefoot on a plane, as travel experts question whether messaging can fix systemic frustrations.
  • Officials forecast one of the busiest Thanksgiving periods in years, with the FAA and TSA preparing for heavy volumes and stressing patience, while the FAA continues zero‑tolerance enforcement for unruly conduct.