A former flight attendant has shared why black socks may be a poor choice for air travel.
Choosing what to wear to the airport can be surprisingly complicated. Alongside deciding what belongs in your suitcase, travellers are often told to think carefully about their outfit for the journey itself, with items like jeans and leggings sometimes singled out as less-than-ideal options.
Socks might seem like the one part of a travel outfit that barely matters, but one aviation insider says that assumption can be misleading.
Kris Major, who previously worked for British Airways, told Metro that black socks are best avoided when flying, especially on night flights when the cabin is dimmed and crew members are moving quickly through narrow aisles.
The advice is not about a formal airline dress code. Instead, Major says it comes down to visibility, particularly when passengers remove their shoes and let their feet drift into the aisle.
Speaking of passengers who take their shoes off on a plane, Major said: “On a night flight, cabin lighting is low, and dark socks blend into the shadows.
“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.”
He explained that low visibility in the aisle can create a genuine hazard for cabin crew moving through the aircraft. If a passenger’s feet are difficult to spot, there is a greater chance a crew member could stumble over them, especially during busy service periods.
That risk is one reason some travel experts say it helps to keep feet tucked away and to avoid blocking the aisle, no matter what color socks you wear.
Major added: “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 said previously that removing shoes during a flight is not necessarily a problem, provided passengers are considerate about hygiene.
“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 in 2024.
“That’s the only issue, if your feet smell.”
The former crew member also noted: “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.”
Comfort remains a priority for most travellers, but advice on what to avoid wearing on a plane can make it harder to know what actually works best.
According to Noor de Swart, founder and CEO of Super Label Store, natural fabrics are the safest bet whenever possible.
“Cotton, wool, linen, even silk are all far safer options,” the expert said.
“A pair of cotton joggers and a merino wool jumper will keep you just as comfortable as any synthetic activewear, and they behave in a completely different way if exposed to flames.”
Travel specialists often say the best in-flight outfit is one that balances comfort, warmth and ease of movement with practical safety considerations. For many passengers, that means soft layers, secure shoes, and socks that are visible enough to avoid creating a tripping hazard in the aisle.