You want to feel comfortable while flying for hours, but some airlines impose limits on how far travelers can travel to increase comfort.
Social media users on TikTok have been sharing their experiences flying with other passengers who have removed their socks on commercial aircraft.
These videos have sparked calls for more education on airplane etiquette.
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In fact, many major airlines may remove passengers from a plane if they violate their no-barefoot policy.
Did you know that taking your socks off could get you kicked off the plane? These major airlines ask passengers not to go barefoot on planes. (iStock)
American Airlines details what is expected of passengers in its Contract of Carriage.
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According to American Airlines, to ensure a safe environment for all passengers, the airline requires all passengers to be “properly dressed,” which means “no bare feet or uncomfortable clothing.”
Airlines such as Southwest and JetBlue have age restrictions on passengers who are allowed to go barefoot, meaning anyone over the age of five cannot go barefoot unless they have a disability that requires it. (iStock)
Rule 21 of United Airlines' “Contract of Carriage” is “Refusal of Carriage” and consists of a variety of reasons why you may be denied boarding or removed from a plane.
One of the variables listed includes “barefoot passengers, passengers not wearing proper clothing, or passengers whose clothing is lewd, indecent, or offensive.”
Some airlines only allow people of a certain age to be barefoot while flying.
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Southwest says that for the “comfort and safety” of passengers on board, crew members may remove passengers from the aircraft if they are barefoot, are over the age of 5, or do not have a disability that requires them to be barefoot.
Each airline has its own “contract of carriage” and may be prohibited from carrying or transporting passengers based on certain rules. (iStock)
JetBlue Airways is another airline that adheres to similar age restrictions pursuant to its contract of carriage.
While this rule appears to be widespread among U.S.-based airlines, not all foreign airlines include this prohibition in their conduct agreements.
Airlines such as Air Canada, Air France and British Airways do not have any provisions in their contracts of carriage that would allow them to remove barefoot passengers from a plane.
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If an airline were to implement a no-barefoot policy, it would reportedly be up to flight attendants to enforce it.
A Florida-based etiquette expert is recommending that passengers who want to remain comfortable and hygienic on a plane wear slippers or clean socks. (iStock)
Each contract uses the phrase “may be required,” which means it's not a hard-and-fast rule that passengers must follow.
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While wearing socks isn't strictly necessary, there may be good reasons to keep your toes covered on an airplane.
Etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore said it's best to keep your feet covered in some way.
“From an etiquette standpoint, it's rude to go barefoot in public because a lot of bacteria can be transmitted through the feet,” Florida-based Whitmore told Fox News Digital.
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“If you're planning on taking your shoes off on a long flight, it's best not to walk around without slippers for your own health and safety. Airplane floors, especially bathroom floors, are very dirty. Any standing water on the floor is probably not water.”
Whitmore also said being barefoot can have an impact on those around you.
These airlines are asking passengers to stay barefoot during flights or risk being kicked off. (iStock)
“For fellow passengers, seeing someone walking around barefoot may be considered unpleasant or unhygienic and may have a negative impact on the flying experience.”
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If you want to stay comfortable but still maintain hygiene, Whitemore suggests putting on clean socks, slippers, or more comfortable shoes.
Fox News Digital has reached out to American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways for comment.
