A flight expert has revealed a little-known, but potentially severe problem in terms of what you wear on a plane: Leggings may not be the safest choice of garment to wear on a plane. Although the majority of passengers prefer to dress comfortably when flying–choosing stretch materials, slip-on footwear, and loose styles–it seems that safety ought to be a factor in consideration of what to wear on an airplane too.
Travelers have the dilemma of dressing comfortably and practically, more so in long-haul flights where one can find it strenuous to sit through the hours. The usual suggestions involve not wearing clothes that are very tight or constricting, and paying attention to changes in temperature inside the cabin. However, the aviation industry experts say that comfort should not be the only factor that influences your wardrobe decisions, especially in the case of an emergency.
Even the clothes that you wear can put you in more danger in case of an emergency, as aviation expert Christine Negroni, the author of the New York Times bestseller The Crash Detectives: Investigating the Worlds Most Mysterious Air Disasters, explains. Speaking to IGV, Negroni insisted that proper footwear was vital, in addition to the kind of fabric one uses when travelling by air.
She recommends wearing comfortable and flat shoes with a firm sole that are easy to take off, especially in shoes. The reason is that during an emergency evacuation, the external environment around the aircraft might be unsafe, anything between a slippery or wet surface to fuel spillages and debris. The reason high heels are not suitable is that they can puncture the evacuation slides and going barefoot makes one susceptible to injury due to heat or sharp objects. Negroni also proposes wearing shoes during takeoff and landing when the statistics show that most accidents are likely to happen.
However, the most unexpected aspect of her recommendations is about leggings, which many travelers grab as they are stretchy and soft. Negroni states that synthetic leggings can become lethal in the event of an inflight fire. When under extreme heat, such as those materials often used in active wear can melt and adhere to the skin, causing serious burns and leaving lifelong scarring.
“The majority of air accidents are survivable, as Negroni explains, but many of them also include the element of fire. Synthetic materials are used to make leggings. These chemically created fibers melt when hot and may adhere to the skin.” She quotes a research by the Federal Aviation Administration in 1999 which suggested natural fabrics such as cotton, wool and leather as more suitable flight attire materials. Even denim, although very rough, is in this respect safer than most synthetic fabrics.
Similar safety issues involving passenger attire have gotten the input of other flight attendants. One recommended against open-toe shoes such as Crocs or flip-flops, particularly when using the lavatory, citing the unsanitary conditions that are usually involved. Another recommended against wearing shorts because of sanitary reasons since you just can not be sure how clean a seat or surface is.
Finally, although your airport attire may appear to be a minor factor, it can prove to be a major issue during an emergency. The proper selection of fabrics and footwear can not only make your flight more comfortable but also help you to be safer in case of an unforeseen situation.
