Flight attendant warned passengers you should never wear flip-flops on a plane
It's only natural to try and get into holiday mode as soon as possible when you're going abroad, but a flight attendant has explained why wearing your flip-flops to travel might not be the best idea.
Sure, you want to be comfy during the flight, and flip-flops are a great alternative to just not wearing shoes at all.
The sandals are easy to slip off if you want to curl up in your seat and get comfy during the flight, and they're a perfect way to ensure you're beach-ready the moment the plane touches down.
Advert
However, when you're getting ready for a flight you have to remember that no matter how keen you might be to feel the sand on your feet, safety on planes comes first.
Tony Kuna, who has previously worked as a member of flight crew, has explained why wearing flip-flops or taking off your shoes altogether could end in disaster if there's an in-flight emergency.
He shared his explanation in a post on Quora, writing: "Besides stinking up the whole cabin, footwear is essential during a plane emergency, even though it is not part of the flight safety information.
"During an emergency, all sorts of debris and unpleasant ground surfaces will block your way towards the exit, as well as outside the aircraft."
Kuna went on to explain that if your feet aren't 'properly covered' during an emergency, '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," he said.
Obviously we can hope that you'd never be in such a situation in the first place, but on the off chance you are, you definitely don't want to make it any worse just through your choice of footwear.
Kuna's sentiments were echoed by author Christine Negroni, who has written a book about air disasters.
She said: "One of the best things people can do is put their shoes on for take-off and landing. This is still not required by many airlines and I think it ought to be.
"If you escape an aircraft, the floor could be very hot or cold, it might be covered in oil or on fire, or in a cornfield - you won't want to be barefoot."
It actually turns out there are a lot of things to take into consideration when choosing your travel outfit, because another flight attendant has explained how cleanliness might impact your decision on the kind of bottoms you should wear on the journey.
Topics: Health, Plane Etiquette, Travel, Fashion
Emily Brown