Is it OK to go shoeless on a plane?

Disgusting body scents are a major source of frustration in an airline cabin, where recycled air and densely packed people combine to create an uncomfortable environment. Smelly feet are the most common culprits. It is unlikely that you will disagree with my position on this issue if you have ever been forced to sit next to a passenger who made himself a little more comfortable by removing his grungy sneakers and allowing his sockless, sweaty extremities to air out, as I have on this issue: it is not acceptable to fly barefoot.

The primary root of the issue in this situation is denial. The majority of people who have stinky feet don’t appear to be aware that they have smelly feet. The vast majority of individuals, with the exception of the most blatantly self-centered among us, would refrain from removing their shoes if they were aware that their feet stank.

You should still cover your feet even if you’re certain that they’re completely clean and smell free. A large number of individuals are bothered by the sight of strangers’ bare feet. It is unclean to go about with your soles exposed on aircraft surfaces. And, perhaps most crucially, wearing bare feet in airline cabins is prohibited. You’ll discover a little condition in the contracts of carriage of most U.S. airlines, which states that if your feet are visible, airline personnel has the right to remove you off the aircraft.

The airlines’ bare-feet restriction is a simple solution for travelers who find themselves caught next to shoeless offenders. In this situation, you may gently request that your seatmate re-shoes, or you could attempt to blow foot smells away using the above air vent. However, if everything else fails, notifying a flight attendant of the issue should resolve the matter.

On the other hand, I’ve come up with a few ideas for individuals who like to take their shoes off before boarding an aircraft. Most of us are aware of the obvious solutions, but the following suggestions may be of assistance to some of the more shoe-averse flyers:

Bring a pair of slippers that you can fold up. However, they are not much different from conventional slippers, which may be purchased at travel supply shops.. Slippers with pliable, flexible sides are very simple to tuck into the side pocket of a bag.
Socks are a thing. Put them on. If you’re planning on wearing sandals on the airline, pack a sock ball in your carry-on.

You didn’t pack any socks or slippers in your carry-on? In the event that you’re seated in coach on a long-haul travel, you should gently inquire as to whether or not there are any spare pairs of socks or slippers accessible on the aircraft. Many first- and business-class amenity packages include socks or slippers, and a kind flight attendant may be willing to bend the rules a little to ensure that your feet are kept warm and covered throughout your flight.