Whether you’re dealing with tired eyes, nursing a hangover, or just trying to switch into holiday mode, plenty of people keep their sunglasses on at the airport. But a travel expert has warned that wearing them indoors could end up causing unnecessary problems.
Amanda Parker, who works with flight comparison site Netflights, weighed in on the topic after JoJo Siwa posted a video of herself wearing sunglasses at an airport last summer. With peak travel season underway, it’s a useful reminder of how small choices can affect your airport experience.
Most travelers are used to taking off hats and sunglasses at security checks, since staff need a clear view of your face to confirm it matches your identification. After you’ve cleared security, though, it can be tempting to put everything straight back on—especially if you’ve been up since 4am and feel like you’re running on fumes.
Add an oversized hoodie to the mix and you might feel comfortable and tucked away in your own bubble. But to airport staff and other officials, covering up like that can sometimes read less like “exhausted traveler” and more like “person trying not to be seen.”
According to the Irish Star, Parker explained: “There are no rules against wearing hoods or sunglasses in airports – apart from in security zones where they must be removed – but generally, it’s strongly discouraged when not necessary as it can raise suspicion, interfere with facial recognition technology, and bring you unwanted attention.”
Even though sunglasses can make you feel less visible, wearing them inside a terminal can stand out—simply because there’s no sunlight to justify them.
The travel expert continued: “Airports are high-security environments, so wearing a hoodie pulled tightly over your head with dark sunglasses indoors can make you stand out like a sore thumb, and that’s not a good look.
“Even if your intentions are harmless, like hiding your puffy eyes, dimming the room when hungover…this kind of appearance may look like you’re trying to avoid detection and can make you a target for airport security.”
“If you’re trying to keep a low profile, ironically, covering your face can have the opposite effect. Your best option is to stay visible and look approachable at all times,” she added.
Because travel days can be stressful enough without extra scrutiny, it may be worth enduring a bit of bright airport lighting if it helps you move through the terminal smoothly. Save the sunglasses for when you step outside—or when you land and the sunshine actually calls for them.