Alex O'Brien
International Travel

Revealed: why you should always dress nicely for a flight

I think we can all agree, flights aren’t the most comfortable, pleasant experiences in the world. And while it’s tempting to don the trackies and jandals in preparation for a long-haul trip, there’s a very convincing reason why you shouldn’t.

Travel writer Sophie-Claire Hoeller recounts a flight she took on which a flight attendant complimented her outfit, thanking her for dressing up. “It means a lot to us flight attendants, and no one does that anymore,” she said.

And when you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. You wouldn’t turn up to anyone else’s place of work dressed like you’re having a lazy day at home, would you?

Plus, if you need a bit of extra incentive to glam up for your next holiday, how’s this – people who are dressed nicely are much more likely to receive a free upgrade, according to an insider. “Yes, the better dressed you are, the more likely you are to nab that seat,” a gate agent told George Hobic of AirFareWatchdog. “I am not going to put someone wearing flip flops up front with our best customers.”

So there you have it! If you want an upgrade on your next big trip, put some effort into your appearance and you could be up there with the bigwigs.

Have you ever received a free upgrade on a flight before? Were you dressed nicely? Tell us about it in the comment section below.

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Tags:
travel, flying, clothes, fashion, upgrade