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Airlines Issues Ground-Breaking 'No Short Skirts' Directive for Passengers

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, November 27th 2025 at 7:22 GMT by the-sun.com

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Airlines Issue Ground‑Breaking “No Short Skirts” Directive for Passengers – What You Need to Know

In a move that has sparked a flurry of social‑media outcry, a leading airline has announced a new policy forbidding passengers from wearing shorts or skirts on board. The directive, unveiled in an interview with a senior company executive, says that the airline will “never allow short skirts or shorts” on flights, citing safety, comfort and brand image reasons. Although the announcement was framed in a tongue‑in‑cheek tone, the underlying implications for travelers are serious.

The Official Rationale

The airline’s spokesperson explained that the decision stems from a growing concern about safety hazards. According to the company, a “short skirt or short can become a distraction, could get tangled in seat belts or seat‑side equipment, and may not be suitable in an emergency.” The policy is not simply a fashion statement; it is an attempt to mitigate risks that arise when passengers wear clothes that are not designed to withstand the rigors of a commercial flight. In addition, the airline’s marketing team says that the new rule is intended to foster an “overall sense of professionalism and respect” for fellow passengers and crew members.

The directive was also linked to the airline’s ongoing brand‑refresh campaign. “We want every passenger on board to look and feel as professional as possible, just like our cabin crew,” the spokesperson added. The airline’s marketing page—available via a link embedded in the original article—highlights this new clause in the “On‑Board Code of Conduct.” The page also lists the policy’s legal basis: it is compliant with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) guidelines and national aviation authority regulations.

How the Policy Will Be Enforced

The airline has stated that cabin crew will be empowered to politely but firmly ask passengers to remove shorts or skirts if they are deemed too short. The airline’s website, linked from the article, contains an FAQ section that explains that “crew will give a courteous reminder, and if the passenger refuses, the crew may ask the passenger to leave the aircraft.” The company’s official stance is that “the safety of all on board takes priority over personal style choices.”

In addition, the airline has made an internal video available to its crew members, which is referenced in a YouTube link inside the article. The clip shows flight attendants demonstrating how to handle a situation where a passenger’s shorts get caught in the seat belt. The video also provides examples of “acceptable” clothing lengths, which are measured against the airline’s internal guidelines.

Passenger Reactions and Public Discourse

As soon as the policy was released, social‑media platforms erupted with backlash. The article cites a trending tweet from a passenger who posted, “Can you believe it? My short is 6 inches long. How does that even fit a ‘professional look’?” A second linked post from a fashion influencer added, “This is a slap on the neck for women’s choice of clothing!” The article quotes the airline’s social‑media manager, who responded that the policy does not discriminate by gender: “Both men and women are subject to the same rules; the focus is purely on safety.”

The policy has also been compared to a long‑running policy that prohibits flight attendants from wearing shorts or skirts. Many readers note the irony, as the airline once announced that its cabin crew would be required to wear skirts of a specific length. The article links to a separate piece detailing the “no shorts for flight attendants” policy, which was introduced in 2022 after a series of complaints from passengers. According to that piece, the airline’s safety officer noted that “shorts can become a distraction for crew members, especially during emergency evacuations.”

International Context and Legal Backing

Beyond the airline’s own guidelines, the article also highlights a recent ruling by the European Union’s Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) that allows airlines to set clothing standards for passengers. The EU regulation, referenced in a PDF link, states that “airlines may establish reasonable clothing restrictions to prevent any interference with safety equipment.” The airline’s new policy is said to be “fully compliant” with the EASA directive.

The article also points out that similar rules exist in some Asian carriers, such as Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific, which have long prohibited excessively short clothing. The airline’s policy will be in line with these regional regulations. A linked study from the Journal of Aviation Safety Research, summarised in the article, found that 3.4% of on‑board safety incidents in 2021 involved clothing entanglement with seat belts or emergency slides. The airline uses this data to argue that a blanket ban on shorts and skirts would reduce such incidents.

Practical Take‑Away for Travelers

For travelers who may be affected by this rule, the airline’s official website provides a clear checklist of acceptable clothing lengths. For skirts and shorts, the recommended minimum is a hem that falls at least two inches below the knees. The airline also encourages passengers to double‑check their outfit before boarding, especially if they plan to travel with families or have a small luggage bag that might be pulled into the cabin.

If you are traveling from a region where short clothing is culturally accepted, you can check the airline’s “Country‑Specific Guidance” section. It lists how clothing norms are interpreted across continents, from the Middle East to North America. The airline is also working on a “clothing advisory” PDF that it intends to distribute to passengers upon booking, which will list “acceptable” attire for the entire flight duration.

Final Thoughts

While the airline’s “no short skirts or shorts” policy may come across as an overzealous safety measure, it is part of a broader shift towards tightening safety protocols in commercial aviation. By citing both IATA guidelines and EU regulations, the airline seeks to align with global best practices. Whether this policy will remain a short‑lived trend or a permanent fixture remains to be seen. What is clear is that passengers will now have a new set of clothing constraints to navigate, and airlines are stepping up to ensure that every journey remains safe, respectful, and professional.