Is it OK to wear pajamas on your next flight? A viral post sparks debate.

By Charles Passy

 Tampa International Airport issues a mock ban on sleepwear. Plenty of comments soon followed. 

 Who needs to dress up? Some airline passengers opt for comfort. 

 These days, it's not unusual to see people sporting pajamas outside the home - for a walk in the park or even when dining at a fancy restaurant. The trend of sleepwear as everyday wear is all the rage, according to fashion experts. 

 But if you're considering joining the pajama party, should you think twice if your travel plans include a stop in Tampa, Fla.? 

 In a post on X that went viral - with 7.1 million views as of Thursday afternoon - Tampa International Airport announced that "It's time to ban pajamas." The post went on to say that "The madness stops today" and also referenced an earlier ban on Crocs at the airport. 

 To be clear, the airport's "bans" are actually intended as something of a joke. But officials explained they are meant to raise awareness of issues surrounding what constitutes appropriate travel wear. 

 "Tampa International Airport regularly shares lighthearted, satirical social-media content as part of our ongoing effort to engage with our followers," the airport said in a statement to MarketWatch. "Today's post about 'banning' pajamas was another playful nod to day-of-travel fashion debates. We encourage our passengers to travel comfortably and appreciate our loyal followers who enjoy the online humor." 

 Certainly, if sparking debate was the goal, the post did just that. Even if some who commented on the post didn't necessarily understand that the "ban" was in jest, they pointed to the era when people dressed up to fly, as if they were attending a special occasion. 

 "Let's go back to the way it was in the '50s, '60s and '70s!" said one commenter. 

 Others said it's not worth it to dress up, especially given the hassles now often associated with air travel. 

 "I'll dress nice again when we're not treated like cattle at the airport and on the plane," said another commenter. 

 Let's not also forget how the issue came to light, when U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy encouraged travelers to upgrade their wardrobe. 

 "Let's try not to wear slippers and pajamas as we come to the airport," Duffy said at Newark Liberty International Airport last November. 

 Regardless of how anyone feels about pajamas as everyday wear, including at the airport, the trend is decidedly there. Global pajama sales are expected to total nearly $12.5 billion this year and are projected to grow to roughly $21.5 billion by 2035, according to one research report. 

 Experts say the trend has been accelerated by the shift to remote work in recent years - in effect, why dress up if you're not leaving the house? At the same time, people are embracing the idea of going super-casual outside the home, which means pajamas at the airport or just about anywhere else. 

 Fashion brands have jumped on the trend, offering loungewear styles that can work in a variety of settings. Celebrities have been quick to follow suit: Think Margot Robbie sporting pink pajamas at a movie screening. 

 'You can't degrade the travel experience for decades and then scold people for dressing to endure the experience.'Etiquette expert Nick Leighton 

 So, are you free to wear those PJs as you get ready to board your next flight? 

 Etiquette expert Nick Leighton says it's a hard question to answer for a number of reasons. He points to the aforementioned issue of airline travel becoming more stressful and uncomfortable - hence, the desire to go more casual. 

 "You can't degrade the travel experience for decades and then scold people for dressing to endure the experience," he said. 

 Plus, as sleepwear styles become more fashionable, it's hard to think of them as strictly for the slovenly set. "What exactly counts as pajamas?" Leighton said. 

 Patrick Arnzen, a former airline pilot who's now chief executive of Thrust Flight, a pilot school, says being comfortable on a flight isn't a bad idea from a health standpoint. He points to the need to maintain good circulation and avoid deep vein thrombosis (in other words, a blood clot), which is always a risk during air travel. 

 "That's why I recommend breathable fabrics, compression socks if you're prone to swelling, and always layers," he said. 

 At the same time, Arnzen points out the risk of going too casual. For example, he says you don't want to be sporting flip-flops or sandals in the event of an emergency. 

 Wear something that "won't slow you down if you ever need to exit quickly," Arnzen said. 

 -Charles Passy 

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02-28-26 1134ET

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