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.
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