When you board a plane, it’s natural to want to get comfortable, especially during long flights. For many, this means kicking off their shoes and relaxing in socks or even barefoot. However, flight attendants strongly advise against this seemingly innocent habit. The reason? Airplane floors are far from the cleanest places, and removing your shoes can expose you to unsanitary conditions and health risks.
The Disturbing Truth About Airplane Floors
One of the biggest reasons flight attendants advise keeping your shoes on is the unsanitary state of airplane floors. Leysha Perez, a Delta flight attendant, shared with Insider a harsh reality about what might be lurking on the floor, especially in the bathroom.
“The liquid you might see on the bathroom floor is often not just water,” Perez explained. “It’s probably bodily fluids that you’re walking in.” This unsettling revelation highlights just how dirty airplane floors can be, and why it’s vital to protect your feet.
Hidden Dangers in the Cabin and Bathroom
Airplane bathrooms are known for their small, cramped spaces, and they’re frequently used by dozens, if not hundreds, of passengers during a single flight. With so many people using these facilities, it’s inevitable that floors become dirty. But it’s not just the bathroom that poses a risk. The carpets throughout the cabin can also be surprisingly unclean.
An anonymous stewardess from a major U.S. airline reinforced this concern, stating, “Walking throughout the aircraft barefoot or even with socks is disgusting.” She highlighted that it’s not just the bathroom you should worry about, but the carpets and other surfaces throughout the plane, which may be covered in grime, food particles, and more.
Previous Warnings from Industry Professionals
This isn’t a new concern. In 2015, a cabin crew member shared with DailyMail.com the unsanitary reality of airplane floors, emphasizing that walking barefoot is not only unhygienic but also potentially dangerous. Their warnings align with what many flight attendants have reiterated over the years: that airplane floors are not cleaned as thoroughly or frequently as passengers might think.
Advice from a TikTok Viral Flight Attendant
In recent years, social media has become a platform for flight attendants to share insider tips and travel advice. One such flight attendant, Danielle from Emirates, gained viral attention on TikTok last October when she shared her top travel tips, one of which was avoiding walking barefoot in airplane bathrooms.
“It may look like water on the floor, but trust me, it’s really not,” Danielle cautioned. Her advice didn’t stop there. She also advised travelers to avoid pressing their heads against airplane windows and to be extra cautious when touching bathroom surfaces or seat trays without sanitizing them first.
Health Concerns Beyond Cleanliness
Another reason to keep your shoes on, as flight attendants point out, is to avoid direct contact with potentially harmful bacteria and pathogens that can linger on airplane floors. The moist and enclosed environment inside a plane can allow bacteria to thrive, especially in high-traffic areas like the aisle and bathroom.
Flight attendant Cierra Mistt took to social media to reinforce the importance of wearing shoes on board, emphasizing, “Our planes are dirty. The liquid you see on the bathroom floor is not water.” This stark reminder is just another reason why removing your shoes mid-flight might not be the best idea.
Courtesy for Fellow Passengers
Aside from hygiene, removing your shoes can also be seen as discourteous to fellow passengers. In fact, there have been instances where passengers have drawn backlash for propping their bare feet on the armrests or stretching out in a way that invades others’ space. A viral video last year captured this behavior, leading to an outcry on social media.
For many, seeing someone’s bare feet in an airplane’s close quarters is not just unpleasant but disrespectful. Ensuring that you keep your shoes on helps maintain a more considerate and comfortable atmosphere for everyone on board.
Other Helpful Travel Etiquette Tips
Beyond keeping your shoes on, flight attendants have offered other valuable tips for maintaining hygiene and courtesy during flights. For example, some suggest avoiding touching the airplane window with your bare hands, as these surfaces are rarely cleaned between flights. Additionally, sanitizing your seat tray before using it for meals or personal items is a good habit to develop, as these surfaces are notorious for harboring germs.
Disembarking Etiquette: Patience is Key
Another important piece of advice from flight attendants is to avoid standing up immediately after landing. While it may be tempting to stand and stretch your legs after a long flight, Cierra Mistt advises that standing too soon won’t speed up the disembarkation process. In fact, it can cause unnecessary congestion in the aisles and make it harder for everyone to leave the plane efficiently.
Conclusion: Keep Your Shoes On for a Cleaner, Safer Flight
When it comes to flying, comfort is important, but not at the expense of hygiene. As flight attendants consistently remind us, airplane floors are far from pristine, and walking barefoot or even in socks can expose you to dirt, bacteria, and even bodily fluids. By keeping your shoes on throughout the flight, you’re not only protecting yourself from unsanitary conditions but also showing respect for your fellow passengers.
So next time you feel the urge to kick off your shoes mid-flight, remember the advice from those who know airplanes best: keep them on, and enjoy a safer, more comfortable journey.
