Travelers Wear Pajamas to Airport in Protest of Government Dress Code Request
Holiday travel always brings its own kind of chaos, and this year, travelers are posting clips of themselves in flannel pants, oversized hoodies, and the type of slippers usually reserved for late-night fridge visits. The outfits are intentional, playful responses shared by people reacting to a specific message.
The pajama posts started soon after Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy asked Americans to “dress a little better” at the airport as part of a new federal push to revive what he called the “Golden Age of Travel.” His comments came right before Thanksgiving, and for some flyers, the simplest reply was to lean into comfort—very publicly.
A Dress Code Request Meets a Very Different Interpretation
Duffy’s message sounded like a nudge toward the days of tailored coats and polished shoes in airplane cabins. He suggested that a neater outfit might help set a more respectful tone during travel and noted that airports deal with their share of unruly behavior.
Many travelers online felt the suggestion didn’t align with how flying works today. Long security lines, cramped cabins, surprise fees, and unpredictable schedules don’t exactly inspire formalwear. Some even treated his comments as an invitation to do the opposite in their videos.
Social Media Turned the Airport Into a Slumber-Party Runway
Once the first clips appeared on TikTok and Instagram, the trend found an audience. Pajama bottoms, fuzzy socks, and cartoon-covered sets began appearing in posts filmed at home or in transit, with a few captured inside terminals as well.
One TikToker showed off a matching set while audio of Duffy’s comments played in the background. Another strutted through her terminal in slippers, wheeling her luggage with the confidence of someone heading to a sleepover.
The more that people posted, the more the joke circulated.
What the Cozy Pushback Says About Flying Right Now
Image via Pexels/Kenneth Surillo
Across comment sections, travelers shared why the comfort-first look resonated with them. Some compared modern air travel to riding a bus in the sky. Others questioned why clothing was part of the conversation when issues like airfare, delays, or cramped seating shape the experience far more than outfit choices.
Most reactions carried the same theme: people dress for the trip they expect, not the trip that existed decades ago.
Duffy’s comments came as part of a larger civility campaign linked to data about disruptive passenger incidents reported by the Federal Aviation Administration. According to the agency, the number of outbursts since 2019 has risen significantly, and officials hoped to encourage a calmer atmosphere during flights.
The pajama posts didn’t derail the initiative, but they did shift the public conversation. Instead of sparking nostalgia for polished travel wardrobes, the moment highlighted the contrast between past expectations and today’s reality.
As holiday travel continues, the pajama conversation remains active mainly online, where people continue sharing outfit choices and commentary. If the goal was to get people talking about airport attire, mission accomplished.