When you reach your vacation destination, you should be able to hit the ground running — not waste time searching for the nearest ironing board. But even short flights can cause major fashion regret in the form of stubborn creases. And when you arrive, you probably shouldn’t expect to find wrinkle-free clothes straight from your suitcase, either. Fortunately, travel attire has evolved, and there are casual and business-ready options for all types of trips. Discover the convenience of these anti-wrinkle clothing items and learn which fabrics to steer clear of.

Crease-Proof Pants

After sitting long hours in a cramped plane or train, you’ll probably have wrinkles and creases where they aren’t supposed to be. To avoid that scenario, look for pants crafted from polyester, nylon, or spandex. These stretchy fabrics not only avoid wrinkles but also provide comfort and breathability. For shorter travel days, denim pants are suitable, too, as they don’t wrinkle but may lack breathability. Whatever you do, steer clear of 100% linen or cotton pants for travel, as these fabrics wrinkle the most.

Our picks: Athleta has a versatile line of travel-friendly clothes, and their women’s Endless High-Rise Pants are made of a polyester and spandex blend that wicks away moisture and stays wrinkle-free. For a wider leg, consider Athleta’s Brooklyn Heights Pants, made of the same fabric blend. For business casual men’s pants that feel like sweatpants, check out the ABC Classic-Fit Warpstreme pants from Lululemon. The Warpstreme fabric is an elastomultiester and polyester blend designed to stay wrinkle-free all day. 

Wrinkle-Resistant T-Shirts

While traveling, you should be prepared for temperature changes by dressing in light layers. An excellent casual base layer is a simple T-shirt, but don’t reach for a classic 100% cotton tee — those can get pretty wrinkly in a suitcase. Instead, opt for a cotton blend, polyester, or a similar synthetic fabric. “These synthetic fibers are inherently more resilient to wrinkling than natural materials and can bounce back to their original shape with ease,” explains Jennifer Connolly, creator of fashion blog A Well Styled Life.

Our picks: You can’t go wrong with a classic. Try the Hanes Cool Dri performance T-shirts (in men’s and women’s styles), which are 100% polyester and come in an assortment of colors. As a bonus, they have a 40+ UPF rating for added sun protection. For a more fitted look, opt for Alo’s bestselling All Day Short Sleeve for women, made of modal jersey to resist wrinkling. Alo has men’s options, too, such as the Triumph crew neck, which is made of tri-blend jersey containing 50% polyester. 

Travel-Friendly Dress Shirts

Packing button-down dress shirts for business meetings or fine dining can be a headache for travelers. After all, hotel irons aren’t always the most reliable. Although linen shirts look great, avoid packing them if you don’t want to bring a travel steamer. Silk is another fabric that is best avoided because it is prone to creasing. Instead of breaking out the iron upon arrival, opt for a shirt designed to stay wrinkle-free, even while packed in a suitcase. 

Our picks: Ministry of Supply is known for its highly-rated AeroZero Dress Shirt, with styles for both men and women that are made from 100% recycled polyester. This makes them naturally wrinkle-resistant and machine washable. 

Effortless Dresses

Dresses are a versatile travel item, easily dressed up or down with the right accessories, a jacket, or the perfect pair of shoes. However, you should avoid silk, linen, and 100% cotton, and opt for materials such as wool, polyester, cotton blends, or tencel instead. 

Our pick: Unbound’s Merino Travel Dress is adaptable for any climate and is made of an anti-wrinkle blend of merino wool, nylon, and spandex to wick away moisture and help with temperature control. 

Versatile Sweaters

With notoriously cold airplane cabins, wearing layers is a smart choice while traveling. So, you’ll probably bring a sweater or blazer (or a few of each), depending on where you’re headed. Cashmere, knits, and wool are ideal fabric options to stay wrinkle-free. Merino wool, in particular, is known for its elastic properties. “Not only will wool keep you warm and toasty in the winter, but it’s also incredibly wrinkle-resistant,” according to fashion website Who What Wear. 

Our picks: Everlane’s women’s Half-Zip Sweater is made with luxurious merino wool and can be dressed up or down, making it a great addition to any travel outfit. Everlane also has stylish merino wool options for men, including the Felted Merino Half-Zip and Merino Crew Neck Sweater. For a more casual look, try the Spanx Half Zip, a silky soft polyester blend. For a men’s fit, consider Rhoback’s Performance Q-Zip, made from a moisture-wicking polyester blend that comes in various styles and colors.

Packable Jackets

You might need to pack a jacket for your next trip, too. Rain jackets sometimes wrinkle, so look for styles made of nylon. A stylish peacoat might be the perfect addition to your fall outfits, but think of how it will hold up while traveling. Wool is not prone to wrinkles, so look for a coat made of this fabric if you plan on packing it in your luggage. 

Our picks: Patagonia’s Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket is designed to fold into a small, packable block. For colder escapes, opt for a foldable jacket with a quilted pattern, such as Patagonia’s Nano Puff line. The quilting allows natural creases to form, which avoids unwanted wrinkles. (You’d be surprised how compact a winter jacket can be once the air is pushed out.) For peacoats, the L.L. Bean wool peacoat is a timeless classic that comes in men’s and women’s styles.

Featured image credit: Klaus Vedfelt/ DigitalVision via Getty Images

Sometimes, even the best-laid travel plans go awry. Nearly a quarter of all flights operated by U.S. airlines in 2023 arrived at their destinations late, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. But what happens to travelers who are stuck with unexpected expenses arising from flight disruptions? Fortunately, if you’re traveling in Europe, there are a set of consumer protections in place known as EU 261. Understanding how these regulations work can help you get the compensation you deserve from flight delays or cancellations in Europe. Find a helpful guide below. 

What Is EU 261?

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 (often called the Air Passengers Rights Regulation 2004 or simply EU 261) establishes clear rules for what compensation airlines owe passengers — whether that’s cash, hotels, or meal vouchers — for long flight delays, cancellations, or denied boarding. In terms of travelers’ rights, these are some of the most comprehensive and passenger-friendly regulations that exist today. These regulations apply to EU member countries (of which there are 27) as well as flights to and from Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. Post-Brexit, the United Kingdom also adopted EU 261 regulations into law. 

What Flights Does EU 261 Cover? 

Knowing when EU 261 regulations kick in can be a bit tricky. The law applies in the following situations:

• Flights within the EU — flights can be operated by an airline based in the EU or a non-EU airline
• Flights that arrive in the EU from outside the EU — these must be operated by an EU-based airline
• Flights that depart from the EU to a country outside the EU — these can be operated by either an EU airline or a non-EU airline

You might notice that you are not due any compensation for flight disruptions that occur on a connecting itinerary through the EU. For example, if you were flying from New York to Cape Town via Amsterdam, you would not receive compensation if either of your flights were delayed. But if you were flying from New York to a final destination of Amsterdam and that flight was delayed, you would be covered under EU 261 — but only if your flight was operated by an EU member airline. (If you were departing from the EU on your way back to New York, the airline wouldn’t matter.)

Note that if passengers voluntarily accept a rerouted itinerary from the airline and arrive within two to four hours of their original time (based on the flight distance), the compensation may be reduced by 50%, according to the regulations. 

Additionally, for the purposes of “EU,” this includes the countries outlined above (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and the U.K.), as well as the dependent territories of Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Réunion Island, Mayotte, St. Martin, the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands (except the Faroe Islands).

When Are You Entitled to Compensation for Flight Delays?

Firstly, you are entitled to compensation under EU 261 only for flight disruptions that are within an airline’s control. This could include crew scheduling issues or mechanical problems, for example, but causes such as weather, employee strikes, political unrest, or air traffic control congestion would not be covered. The latter are deemed “extraordinary circumstances” that are outside an airline’s control.

Also take careful note of which airline is operating your flight. Many airlines offer “codeshares” with other airlines, allowing them to sell seats on another carrier. For example, Air France might put their code on a Delta flight from Atlanta to Paris. But for the purposes of EU 261 compensation, it matters which airline is actually operating your flight, not the airline from which you bought the ticket.

For flight delays of three or more hours (calculated based on the arrival at your final destination), passengers are entitled to cash compensation based on the distance of the flight: 

• For flights under 1,500 kilometers (932 miles), you’re entitled to 250 euros (about $270 USD) 
• For flights between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometers (932 to 2,175 miles), you’re entitled to 400 euros (about $435 USD)
• For flights over 3,500 kilometers (2,175 miles), you’re entitled 600 euros (about $650 USD)

EU 261 also requires airlines to offer passengers assistance in the form of meals and refreshments. These rules kick in after a departure delay of two hours for flight distances in the first category above, three hours for the second category, and four hours for the third category. And if a delay is overnight, the passenger is entitled to reimbursement of hotel expenses, including transportation to and from the hotel. Of note, these passenger assistance rules apply in all situations, even those deemed “extraordinary circumstances.”

Additionally, if a delay is in excess of five hours, passengers can ask for a full or partial refund of their original ticket and a return flight to their point of departure. 

What About Flight Cancellations? 

The same compensation rules above also apply to flight cancellations, provided the airline informs the traveler of the cancellation less than 14 days prior to the scheduled departure date. (Similar rules also apply in cases where the passenger is denied boarding or a flight is overbooked.)

For flight cancellations specifically, the airline is required to offer the passenger a choice among three options:

• Refund of your ticket (and if you have a connecting flight, this includes a return flight to your original departure airport)
• Rerouting to your final destination at the earliest opportunity
• Rerouting at a later date, subject to availability 

How To Claim EU 261 Compensation

If you experienced a flight disruption that meets the above conditions while traveling to, from, or around Europe, you’ll need to file an EU 261 claim. This cannot be done at the airport, but must be done directly with the airline after you arrive at your destination.

Unfortunately, each airline has a slightly different process. Some offer electronic forms to fill out on their website; others require passengers to file a claim via email and submit relevant documents such as your boarding pass. So, check the website of the airline that operated your flight and be sure to save any relevant documentation in case they require it — including screenshots of delay notifications. You can also enlist the help of a third-party company (for a fee) to secure whatever compensation is due under EU 261 regulation.  

Note there are also filing deadlines in order to receive compensation, which vary by country. AirHelp, a company that helps passengers process these claims, has compiled a handy chart with these filing deadlines.

Despite all the modern advancements in travel, the appeal of an old-fashioned road trip endures. But a road trip becomes considerably less appealing when you’re sharing the road with unhappy drivers. Luckily for any would-be road-trippers, the folks at vehicle finance company Moneybarn have created a global driver satisfaction index, analyzing what it’s like to drive in 35 major countries around the world, to determine which nations have the happiest motorists. Here are the best (and worst) countries for a road trip.

Best Countries for Drivers

5. Switzerland

Living in one of the world’s happiest and wealthiest countries, Swiss motorists are some of the most satisfied drivers in the world. However, even though Switzerland landed at No. 5 on the global driver satisfaction index, the central European country scored a rating of just 6.13 out of 10 on the index, reflecting the challenges and roadblocks many drivers face worldwide. The report analyzed key factors such as quality of road infrastructure, congestion levels in the capital, average gas prices, road safety in terms of number of road traffic deaths, number of speed cameras, and average off-street parking cost.

Switzerland scored particularly well when it came to safety (with just two road traffic deaths per 100,000 people) but had some of the highest gas prices on the list. Still, drivers have a lot to smile about in Switzerland as they pass by scenic views of the Alps and captivating cities such as Geneva and Lucerne.

4. Spain

Switzerland’s neighbor to the southwest scored 6.42 out of 10 on the global driver satisfaction index. Though the overall quality of Spain’s road infrastructure was lower than that of Switzerland, Spain had slightly more affordable petrol prices and remarkably low congestion in its capital. That’s largely thanks to Madrid’s low-emission zone, which introduced restrictions on vehicles in the city center to reduce pollution and encourage public transport use. Spain is also one of the world’s most well-traveled countries — it certainly helps that it’s among the best countries in the world for a road trip. 

3. Turkey

On the opposite end of Europe (and crossing into Asia), drivers in Turkey scored 6.56 out of 10 on the index. Indeed, there’s a lot to be satisfied about driving through Turkey. Not only is there plenty of roadside scenery to take in — from the fairy-tale landscapes of Cappadocia to the views of Istanbul from one of the world’s tallest bridges — but Turkey also had some of the lowest gas prices in the report. That’s in addition to low parking costs and low congestion in its capital. 

1. Japan (tie)

Two nations in Asia share the title of the best country for drivers, both scoring 7.10 out of 10 in the report. The first, Japan, is noted for producing some of the world’s most reliable automobiles. The country also has excellent overall road infrastructure and low prices for diesel in particular. Prefer to fly instead? The Land of the Rising Sun is home to some of the world’s top-ranked airports.

1. Singapore (tie)

Tied for first place, the Southeast Asian city-state of Singapore boasts the best overall road infrastructure of any place on the index — which makes perfect sense when you consider it’s one of the world’s best-planned cities. Drivers in Singapore also benefit from being on some of the world’s safest roads and from having access to relatively affordable parking. Unfortunately for Singaporeans, it remains one of the world’s most expensive countries to own a car, but luckily there’s a robust public transportation network, which visitors can take advantage of, too.  

Worst Countries for Drivers

Wondering where you should probably avoid getting behind the wheel? Romania had the third-lowest driver satisfaction score on the list (3.55 out of 10), thanks to high congestion in its capital and its dangerous roads. Next was Italy (3.12 out of 10), noted for its high fuel costs and poor road quality. The world’s worst country for drivers, according to the report, is Greece, which had the lowest score on the index (2.73 out of 10). That’s largely due to a higher number of road traffic deaths, as well as high gas prices and high congestion levels in the capital, Athens. 

It’s an all-too-common complaint among air travelers: cramped airplane cabins. And it’s not just passengers who have noticed — some politicians have even urged the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to consider establishing minimum airplane seat sizes. With seats that are too small for the average passenger, there are potential risks when it comes to safely evacuating an airplane during an emergency, but comfort is at stake, too. Here’s why airplane seats have been getting smaller — and how to avoid getting stuck in one on your next flight. 

Seat Pitch Has Shrunk in the Past 30 Years

“Seat pitch” is the term airlines use to describe the distance from the point on one seat to the same point on the seat in the next row. In simpler terms: legroom. According to an analysis conducted by USA Today, the average seat pitch among major U.S. airlines in economy class has dropped from a minimum of 31 to 32 inches in the 1990s to as little as 30 inches today. A difference of 1 to 2 inches may not sound like a lot, but it’s a noticeable difference once you’re in the seat, especially if you’re above average height. 

It’s worth noting, too, that in many cases the seatbacks themselves are thinner. These newer-generation “slimline” seats help airlines squeeze in more revenue-generating seats per aircraft. Airlines have redesigned them for more personal space by, for example, placing magazine pockets higher or reducing the size of tray tables. But this also “allows airlines to claim that passengers have as much above-the-knee ‘personal space’ as they did before, even if the seats are slightly closer together below the knee,” USA Today notes. And since the seats are slimmer, the padding is reduced, which can also have a noticeable impact on passenger comfort. 

In addition to seat pitch, seat width has also taken a hit. The average width on many U.S. airlines has shrunk from 18.5 inches to 17 inches since the 1960s, despite the fact that the average American man is 30 pounds heavier today, according to the Washington Post. This has raised safety concerns and the question of whether the government needs to mandate a minimum seat size. 

Recently, several bills have been introduced in Congress, and the FAA has also solicited public opinion on the matter, but so far nothing has been set in stone. In 2022, the Justice Department said the FAA’s “examination of existing evidence has not yet demonstrated a safety need for minimum seat dimensions,” but the FAA continues to “diligently examine” the issue, per Reuters.

Rising Costs and More Competition 

To understand why legroom is shrinking, start by looking at the higher costs and increased competition airlines are facing compared to 30 years ago. Notably, the rise of ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs) over the past several decades has put downward pressure on airfares. These carriers charge fares as low as $19 one way, but their business model is based on upselling passengers on everything from seat assignments to carry-on baggage and even printing their boarding pass at the airport. 

Budget airlines can also offer such low fares because they fit more seats into each aircraft — while legacy airlines like Delta offer a minimum of 30 inches of pitch, you’ll find even less room (28 to 29 inches) on carriers like Spirit and Frontier. As these carriers grow, the average seat pitch across the industry has been reduced. 

Recently, airlines have also contended with surging fuel prices, labor shortages, and higher labor costs. While they’ve passed those costs onto customers — ticket prices jumped a whopping 25% from 2023 to 2024 — airlines are also looking to generate more revenue wherever they can find it. By reducing legroom, they can squeeze in more seats — and also charge a premium for extra legroom in economy class or encourage more passengers to pony up for first class.  

But how much tighter can airline cabins get? In 2017, American Airlines announced plans to retrofit and add more seats to its Boeing 737-800. While the majority of economy-class seats were reduced from 31 to 30 inches of pitch, three rows at the back of the aircraft got only 29 inches of legroom — similar to the pitch on airlines like Spirit. The airline faced enough backlash that it announced it would reverse its decision, so it seems unlikely that legroom will get any tighter on major carriers, at least for now. 

How To Get More Legroom on Your Next Flight

If you’re looking for a little extra space to stretch out, it’s not all bad news. First, some U.S. airlines still offer above-average legroom. On JetBlue, the space between seats is a minimum of 32 inches — the most of any U.S. carrier. Some international carriers offer even more space; for example, Japan Airlines has 34 inches of legroom in its regular economy seats, which should help you get a little more comfortable on a long-haul flight. 

If you’re flying an airline with tighter seat pitch, there’s also a good chance you can pay more for better legroom. These extra-legroom economy seats go by different names: Economy Plus on United Airlines, Comfort+ on Delta, or Main Cabin Extra on American, for example. And in late 2024, Southwest Airlines announced plans to offer extra-legroom seating on its aircraft; soon, passengers will be able to pay an additional fee to secure up to 5 more inches of space. Plus, if you have elite status on an airline, you can often select these seats free of charge.  

There are a few other tips and tricks to score a seat with more room. When you book, you can look up a detailed seat map for the aircraft you’re flying on to spot any irregularities — for example, look for seats at exit rows that don’t have another seat in front of them. Better seats sometimes open up closer to check-in and boarding, too, so it’s worth keeping a close eye on the seat map up to departure. And a little strategy goes a long way: According to some travel experts, seats toward the back of the cabin tend to get picked last, so there’s a greater chance of having an unoccupied seat next to you — which many would consider a priceless perk in an era of ever-shrinking economy seats. 

After a long walk through the airport and onto the plane, you may be tempted to kick off your shoes to get more comfortable. You’re not alone: According to a survey conducted by travel company Kayak, 44% of passengers do take off their shoes on flights. But on a large commercial aircraft shared with the company of strangers, is this a good idea? Here’s why travel experts say you should never take off your shoes on a plane.

Consider Sanitary Reasons

The truth is that while planes are cleaned between each flight, they rarely undergo a deep cleaning. According to CBC, cleaning crews typically have less than 15 minutes to tidy up on so-called “turn cleans” between flights. Their efforts are mostly focused on superficial cleaning — such as removing trash and checking lavatories and galleries — and there’s little time to wipe down high-touch surfaces (which have been found to be the dirtiest parts of an airplane). So while the carpet may look clean, chances are there’s tons of grime deep down in the fibers from a combination of outside dirt, spilled drinks, and other mysterious fluids. It may seem like common sense, but it’s worth reiterating that you should steer clear of going into the lavatory barefoot, as crews generally aren’t responsible for wiping up liquid on the bathroom floor.

In Case of Emergency

This may not be the first thing travelers consider, but keeping your shoes on is also critically important in case of emergency. Travel writer and aviation expert Christine Negroni told The Sun that she encourages passengers to wear their shoes during takeoff, landing, and other moments of the flight where there’s an increased risk of something going awry. As she explained, “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,” which may result in serious injuries to your feet if you need to hastily evacuate. For this reason, it’s also better to wear sneakers than open-toed shoes, because they offer additional protection against hot asphalt, shattered glass, and more hazards that you may encounter in the event of an emergency.

To Prevent Swelling

Taking off your shoes may sound like the most comfortable option on a long flight, but doing so may also lead to excess swelling. Per the Mayo Clinic, foot and leg swelling is a common issue for travelers, due in part to the fact that you’re sitting for a long time without moving. Comfortable and practical footwear can provide proper support and compression to cut down on swelling. Be careful not to wear shoes that are too tight, however, as that can restrict blood flow. Also, if you remove your shoes and your feet do swell up, it could be more difficult to get the shoes back on at the end of the flight. Keep your shoes on the whole time and you won’t have to worry about squeezing your sore and swollen feet back inside.

It’s Poor Etiquette

According to a 2022 airplane etiquette survey, 23.59% of passengers are deeply bothered when another passenger removes their shoes. This ranks slightly higher than dealing with unwanted flirting, and just below when someone listens to loud music. A further 48% of flyers find pungent body odors to be a major disturbance, and feet are among the smelliest parts of the body. At the end of the day, keeping your shoes on is the best way to practice good airplane etiquette — and avoid earning any judgmental glares from your fellow flyers.

For some travelers, watching a movie is an essential part of flying. Whether because it calms their nerves, helps them catch up on a blockbuster they missed in theaters, or both, getting lost in whatever’s playing on the seatback is intrinsic to the in-flight experience. But have you ever wondered why the newest Marvel movie is available but the rom-com you meant to see earlier this year is not? Or why the TV options so rarely consist of an entire season, or at least consecutive episodes rather than a random assortment? You’re far from alone. Take a look at how airlines decide which movies and TV shows to play onboard. 

What Airlines Consider

The answer is both simpler and more complex than you might expect. Most airlines devote high-level positions to securing and curating in-flight entertainment, such as the Managing Director – In-Flight Entertainment at Delta Air Lines, who have myriad behind-the-scenes factors to consider. The first and most important is their audience, which isn’t unlike that of a typical multiplex insofar as it represents a cross-section of the entire country. As such, there needs to be a little bit of everything for everybody: action flicks and broad comedies for passengers who want something big and distracting, as well as low-key indies for travelers who are able to give a movie their full attention, even when it’s interrupted by occasional announcements from the pilot and cabin crew.

The team at JetBlue Airways, for instance, employs a content-strategy specialist whose duties include analyzing “trending, popular film and television content each month,” according to an interview with Business Insider, and curating their selections accordingly. This often entails licensing agreements with specific movie studios or streaming services. Those deals don’t last forever, and different movies and TV shows are available in-flight for different amounts of time — usually six months to a year for Delta, for example, and four to 10 months on JetBlue, according to the Business Insider report.

What the Data Says

Airlines also release viewership data on occasion, which is how we know that John Wick: Chapter 4 and Top Gun: Maverick were the most popular titles across all airlines in 2023, according to a Washington Post report. Those two blockbusters were followed by Ticket to Paradise, Barbie, A Man Called Otto, Fast X, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Avatar: The Way of Water, Minions: The Rise of Gru, Jurassic World Dominion, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. In other words, the movies that tend to perform best at 30,000 feet are the same ones that do well at the box office.

Sometimes regional differences come into play, which may help explain why Jurassic World Dominion performs so well on Hawaiian Airlines, for example. Much of the series was filmed in Hawaii, and some travelers making their way to the islands understandably want to hear the John Williams theme song before making their final descent.

What About TV?

The television data is similar to that for film. Other than The Last of Us, one of last year’s buzziest and most well-received shows, viewers mostly went for familiar comedies such as Friends, Schitt’s Creek, and perennial favorite The Office, which was the most-watched program on four different airlines. In economy class, as on the couch at home, sometimes you just want to relax with a comfort show.

There are two genres you probably won’t see at cruising altitude, however: horror and disaster, especially if a plane crash is involved. This seems fairly self-explanatory. Flying is stressful enough without the person next to you screaming due to a jump scare, and even sillier fare like Snakes on a Plane isn’t a good idea to play on an actual plane.