Flight attendant explains why you should never go barefoot on plane

While the kids may be back at school now, many of us are still jetting off for an abroad holiday in the sun.

Travelling in general is meant to be fun, but that doesn't mean plane etiquette should be forgotten about.

In recent times, we've heard about the best time to recline your plane seat and the 'unethical hack' to stop plane passengers from reclining them.

Now, a flight attendant has explained why you should never go barefoot while on a plane.

I think a lot of us are guilty of it, you are all nice and comfy (well, as comfy as you can be on a plane seat), prosecco in hand, looking forward to your time away.

What would make it extra comfy? Well, taking your shoes off, of course.

But according to flight attendant Tommy Cimato, who goes by the username @tommycimato on TikTok, you really want to be avoiding that at all costs.

In a TikTok uploaded in 2021, the flight attendant explained: "Do not go barefoot, do not take your shoes off; the floors are filthy.

TikTok/@tommycimato

"I see so many people do this, it is not sanitary, don't do it."

So why else shouldn't you be going barefoot during a flight? Well, it also breaks the rules of some of the biggest airlines across the globe.

For example, a part of Delta's policy statement reads: "Delta may refuse to transport or may remove passengers from its aircraft in any of the following situations: [...] 2) When the passenger is barefoot."

However, one of the main things passengers should really think about before removing their socks and shoes is hygiene.

Like any other form of public transport, planes carry a large number of passengers every single day - with those people having come into contact with many different things.

You can see where I am going with this one... planes are pretty damn dirty.

Not only the hygiene side should be considered when going barefoot, but also the safety side.

Pexels

Writing on Quora earlier this year, Tony Kuna, a former cabin crew member, explained how going barefoot can really impact your safety onboard a flight.

He said: "During an emergency, all sorts of debris and unpleasant ground surfaces will block your way towards the exit, as well as outside the aircraft.

"If your feet [aren’t] properly covered, you'll have a hard time making your way to safety.

"Imagine destroying your bare feet as your run down the aisle covered with broken glass, fires and metal shards.

"Kind of like John McClane in Die Hard, but worse.”

Topics: Plane Etiquette, Travel, TikTok

Callum Jones