Flight attendant urges people not to wear flip-flops and high heels on planes

18 April 2023 , 15:24

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A flight attendant has warded people away from wearing flipflops (Image: Getty Images/Image Source)

Plane passengers should avoid wearing flip-flops and high heels whenever flying, according to one flight attendant.

Andrea Fischbach, an American Airlines worker, claims that such footwear is a danger on flights.

The reason why is that they are hard to move quickly in, meaning such items would be an impediment if the plane has to be evacuated.

While flight attendants often wear high heels themselves, Ms Fischbach told whattowear.co.uk that members of cabin crew tend to swap them for something more comfortable when the plane takes off.

Fischbach said: "Heels can possibly cause further damage to emergency exits or hurt others if they go flying off somehow. I would really advise against high heels or flip-flops or any slides, mostly for safety purposes."

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Andrea Fischbach has some top tips when it comes to plane footwear (Getty Images/EyeEm)

Ms Fischbach also pointed out that high heels are not the most comfortable footwear to slip on when moving between gates at an airport.

To add yet another reason against wearing them, high heeled shoed often have metal nails in the heel which can trigger detectors.

Flip-flops and backless shoes are best avoided, according to the flight attendant, for hygiene reasons.

"Flip-flops and backless shoes can also end up flying off your feet, and your feet are more likely to freeze, especially during a long flight," she said.

A shoeless and sockless foot is the last thing you need when in the unsanitary environment of a plane toilet.

The stewardess also listed other items you might want to avoid wearing when flying for the sake of comfort, practicality and safety.

Flight attendants usually slip their high heels off, Ms Fischbach said (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

They include:

• Anything that is too constricting and therefore uncomfortable
• Flammable materials in case of unlikely, worst case scenarios
  
• Not enough layers or else you'll end up too chilly in the changing environments

Ms Fischback says one of the most common mistakes she sees people making is not wearing enough clothes.

Passengers sporting crop tops with short shorts, sports bras and leggings without a jacket, and swimming trunks are always the ones to get cold first when the temperature in the cabin dips.

One rule she always follows herself is taking off all her jewellery before she gets to the airport.

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Large pieces of bling made out of metal may be frowned upon by security staff concerned that they could be used as a weapon.

Even sporting too many rings on your fingers could result in an awkward conversation with a security officer and potentially having to throw precious jewellery away.

Milo Boyd