The Great Debate
Few in-flight topics divide travellers like this one. Some people slip their shoes off before the seatbelt sign even goes off, while others keep them on from check-in to touchdown. Here is where the etiquette lines are drawn.
Short Haul Flights: Shoes Stay On
For short haul flights, the general consensus is that shoes should stay on. You are not in the air long enough to justify taking them off, and the effort of putting them back on before landing is not worth it. A one or two hour flight is easy enough to handle fully dressed.
Long Haul Flights Are a Different Story
Long haul is another matter. If you are trying to sleep through a 14 hour flight, comfort matters, and most people will give you a pass for removing your shoes. Feet can swell during long flights, and a tight pair of shoes does not help when you are trying to rest.
Bare Feet Are Where the Line Gets Drawn
Taking your shoes off is one thing, but bare feet are another. Socks are the sensible compromise, and some airlines even include socks in their amenity kits for this reason. If you plan to take your shoes off, pack a clean pair of socks and keep your feet covered.
Never Walk to the Toilet Without Shoes
This is the one rule that should never be broken. Do not use the toilet without shoes on. Aeroplane toilet floors are not somewhere you want your socks, let alone your bare feet, to touch. Slip your shoes back on before leaving your seat, even if it means a quick bit of fumbling in the dark. There’s nothing worse than stepping in a wet patch once you’re inside the lavatory!
My Verdict
Personally, I am a shoes on the whole time person. But I accept that on a long haul overnight flight the rules are a little different. Comfort matters when you are trying to get some rest, as long as you keep the socks on and the shoes handy for any trips to the toilet.
Shoes on or shoes off? Drop your verdict in the comments and follow 5 Star Trip for more travel tips, news and guides.