A former flight attendant with more than 25 years’ experience in the profession has revealed why you shouldn’t wear black socks on a plane.
Air travel clothing advice usually focuses on items like leggings or jeans, but there’s another detail most people overlook: the socks you choose when you fly.
The tip is mainly aimed at passengers who kick their shoes off onboard, since that’s when your socks become what everyone around you — and the crew — actually sees.
And if you’re someone who removes your socks as well, that’s a separate problem entirely (as highlighted after one traveller filmed a man exiting the plane toilet barefoot).
Still, if your socks aren’t offensive, it’s easy to assume they don’t matter. According to one former cabin crew member, that isn’t always the case.
Speaking to Metro Online, ex British Airways crew member Kris Major explained why black socks can cause issues during certain parts of a flight.
“On a night flight, cabin lighting is low, and dark socks blend into the shadows,” he said of passengers who take their shoes off on a plane.
“The trouble starts when passengers stretch out and let their feet drift into the aisle. In those conditions, crew may not spot your feet until the last second.”
The concern is simple: if a crew member doesn’t see someone’s feet extending into the aisle, they could trip — a bad outcome at any time, but especially when the cabin is dim and many passengers are sleeping.
Kris stressed that it’s less about style and more about preventing accidents in tight spaces.
“It’s not about fashion. It’s about visibility. In a narrow aisle, the crew are moving quickly, sometimes carrying hot drinks, and often working around bags, elbows, and half-asleep travellers.
“Anything that’s hard to see at floor level is an accident waiting to happen.”
Major has also shared his views on the broader debate about removing shoes on flights, saying he doesn’t object — as long as passengers are considerate.
“One would hope that you’ve had the common decency to have a bath or a shower and put clean socks or stockings or tights on before you get on the aircraft,” he told CNN back in 2024.
“That’s the only issue, if your feet smell.”
He also noted that taking shoes off can be normal on longer trips, including for crew, provided basic hygiene is taken care of.
He added: “We do it ourselves. I think most people do it themselves. It’s the right thing to do if you’re going on a long-haul flight.”
And if you suspect your feet might not smell fresh after a full day of travelling, he suggested being mindful of everyone else and sorting it out in the bathroom rather than ignoring it at your seat.
If you do think your feet might whiff a bit after a long day of traveling, Kris said the polite thing to do is to ‘go to the washroom and do something about it’.