Should you dress up for business class?

By David Flynn, July 14 2017
Should you dress up for business class?

TALKING POINT | If you want to start an engaging discussion among frequent flyers, ask them about dress codes for airport lounges – especially first class lounges – as well as in business and first class sections on the plane.

Some people feel that business travellers should be dressed to suit, although wearing an actual suit may be taking this to extremes.

Others argue that comfort trumps style, and suggest that having paid top dollar for a business class ticket means you can wear pretty much whatever you please.

Most airlines avoid hard and fast rules on what to wear, and suggest that neat, casual attire is sufficient. There tends to be more focus on what not to wear, such as T-shirts and singlets containing "offensive" language or images.

In short, almost any clothing within reason and the bounds of decency is fit for flying.

That's bad news for later-day Beau Brummells who would rather see people put a bit more effort into their choice of travel threads.

My own approach to in-flight wardrobe is basic and fuss-free, but designed not to look out of place in a first class lounge or cabin.

Comfortable smart casual is 'the new norm'

My standard travel gear starts with a pair of cotton 'dress chinos' that are light, breathe well and still look good even with some in-flight creasing.

I usually pair that with a casual Oxford cotton shirt (I've picked up some excellent non-iron crease-resistant dress shirts) or for a more casual look, a plain cotton non-branded polo top.

Add a pair of slip-on shoes – ideal for breezing through airport security checkpoints and quickly slipping off once the flight begins – and I'm good to go.

Should airlines adopt tighter dress standards for lounges and business class travel? And what's your own choice of in-flight clothing?

David

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

14 Feb 2017

Total posts 25

For me one rule i stick to when flying in J class is smart casual clothing that you can layer on or off like a nice jacket/sweater/cardigan plus a nice plain tee underneath which will allow you to dress up (lounge) or down (when flying). Agree with you, chinos or non-holed jeans, and you'll definitely need decent shoes which you can slip on/off easily for both practicality (security) or comfort (when flying).


24 Aug 2011

Total posts 1208

Neat casual is fine.  You do not need to dress up but common sense also means you don't wear your gardening clothes.  


What you wear probably depends on where you are going and how long the flight is.  For a shorter flight to North Qld for example, neat shorts and a polo shirt are fine.  Longer flights means layers are required because planes are always too hot or too cold.

Unless you are going straight to a business meeting off the plane, it is unlikely that a suit or dress shoes are necessary, particularly as dress shoes often need removal to get through security.

Before getting too hung up on dress standards for Business Class, I'd prefer airlines to start policing their own existing rules for carry-on luggage first.  

24 Apr 2016

Total posts 23

Hawaiian Shorts, Hawaiian Shirts, Hawaiian sandals.


It's Clean, Light, Relaxing and suits the environment.

Etihad - Etihad Guest

06 Apr 2012

Total posts 124

Sounds like Jetstar Business ....

24 Apr 2016

Total posts 23

Or Qantas Business if people are being less Judgemental. I only judge you if you are stinking the entire cabin or exposing something gruesome. That's it.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

13 Jan 2015

Total posts 584

Even in First I think what you listed above is perfectly fine.  However in J i'm going to wear decent shorts and t-shirt with plain looking runners if i'm travelling in summer and just swap the shorts for a pair of decent chinos in the winter.  I find wearing runners much more comfortable in flight considering that my feet get a bit swollen and I can just loosen the laces and luckily I've never had to take them off in security.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

04 Jun 2015

Total posts 71

Tracksuit pants runners and a tshirt. Shorts or gym shorts when it's hot at one end of the journey. I don't like thongs but I'll wear sandles when it's hot or I have multiple flights and my feet get swollen. 


I wouldn't ever wear ripped or dirty clothes, but I do think I normally look out of place in the attire I wear. 

I don't have a "I've paid for this so I'll do as I please" attitude, I just think comfort is important, flying isn't a special thing, and the class you travel doesn't mean your a better class of person.


PVM
PVM

04 Jul 2013

Total posts 22

I was in Abu Dhabi the other week at the business class check-in & an Aussie guy was next to me in shorts & a t-shirt & the staff kindly asked if he had pants & collared shirt he could put on, as they have standards in the lounge & for respect of fellow passengers on-board. That was a first to see but I was very impressed with how the EY staff approached it!

08 May 2017

Total posts 3

Which airline, PVM? Had a bloke in Etihad biz this morning from Abu Dhabi to Sydney dressed in footy-type shorts and a nylon footy type polo shirt. Doesn't fuss me any, but it did strike me as being one rung down from what's normal. PS decent jeans, nice slip on boots and a plain but dressy v-neck tee is my standard attire.  

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

21 Mar 2012

Total posts 5

I wore a tank stop with a crumpler backpack flying in J with EY from SYD to AUH. All was fine until we were exiting for our shuttle bus from tarmac to the terminal. 

I was the last of J class exiting and the attendant on top of the stairs stopped me thinking all of J class had gotten on the first bus. Had to correct him and let me through. 
Moral of story. How you dress will reflect on how you get treated... 

21 Dec 2012

Total posts 41

With EY? I fly for sport, so my de-facto uniform is cargo shorts, T-shirt and possibly some long 'Skins' sorts compression tights. I've never had EY be anything but very gracious hosts in the F lounge, F class suites or apartments, or J class. Similarly with EK and Dubai.

sgb
sgb

Emirates Airlines - Skywards

30 Nov 2015

Total posts 731

I'm a conservative smart dresser, quality casual clothes and business suits make the man. Virtually all my wardrobe is Henry Bucks Collins Street. (That's Conservative). There is a lady at Emirates Lounge Melbourne that I often check in with and she tells me she see's some shocking attire in the lounge, this person tells me what brand shoes I am wearing, she must do the shoe fetish thing and realize quality by brand. Looking around the Emirates lounge Melbourne does show that standards are falling across the board. To me it seems that peoples shapes these days don't suit what they actually put on their backs, and as for accessories etc, a lot are in bad taste.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

13 Jan 2015

Total posts 584

I have to disagree with your comment "quality casual clothes and business suits make the man".  Many people (including those who have access to lounges or points to redeem J tickets) have only 1 suit and only ever wear it to job interviews and formal events, that doesn't make them any less of a man by doing so.  Not everyone in the lounge or J class is so well endowed that they can afford to wear expensive clothes as their daily attire, and even if they are, they may simply prefer comfort over style/fashion.

sgb
sgb

Emirates Airlines - Skywards

30 Nov 2015

Total posts 731

I can't imagine only having one suit, I have somewhere in the double digits, that's not including the evening range of tuxedos etc, but I am expected to wear them when at work every weekday and I never wear the same one consecutively. Dressing down at work for me is a suit without a tie, nothing less casual. I think suits on long distance flights are just silly, that calls for style yet comfort. In fact, a good way to ruin a suit is wear on an over sea's flight, and hope they can resurrect it at an arrivals lounge ironing service.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

11 May 2017

Total posts 14

Is this tongue in cheek sgb?

Whilst I also enjoy presenting well when travelling, particularly internationally, I would not expect others to have access to multiple suits or designer wear simply due to flying in J.

You'd be surprised who you may find flying Y class in a modest manner across airlines.

28 Oct 2015

Total posts 7

you don't need to dress up. Wear whatever you'd wear in public already. Most business class cabins offer very private seats - you're not in display, it does not matter.  If you can wear it into the qantas club, you can wear it in business or first. 

Air New Zealand - Airpoints

31 Oct 2016

Total posts 71

I'm definitely a Chinos and Shirt kind of guy, but I'll wear a tshirt under the Shirt. 


Depending on how warm the cabin is, the collared shirt can come off and I'll relax in just the tshirt. 

The shoes are normally chuck taylors or sneakers, purely because I have size 15 clodhoppers, and my daily shoes are 2.kg Leather Boots because they actually give me ankle support, but have proven to be too much hassle, should security ask me to have them scanned. 

I always tell my partner to wear whatever's comfiest, which usually ends up being a jacket, tshirt and some "nice" trackies, if such a thing exists. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

09 Feb 2015

Total posts 377

First rule, make sure you are showered and don't have body odor. Other than that, comfortable clothing that is smart casual is sufficient. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

26 Oct 2013

Total posts 32

absolutely, nothing worse than bo and halitosis in a place cabin

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

28 Feb 2017

Total posts 13

Given I'm in my pjs within 10 mins of take off normally , I don't think dress codes onboard are that relevant 😂

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

15 Mar 2016

Total posts 167

It's perfectly possible to be neat and tidy as well as comfortable. I tend to opt for loafers, a skirt and layered tops to cater for varying cabin and airport temperatures. Ease of putting shoes on in the night and changing into pyjamas always factors in! My one no-no is thongs. Honestly, nobody needs or wants to see your feet. A closed shoe is not that hard.

Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer

31 Jan 2013

Total posts 26

I don't do thongs purely to avoid any chances of a wheelie bag rolling over my toes. But I agree they aren't proper footwear for most places.

Neat casual is fine. So long as you look clean, neat and presentable and not like you just crawled out of bed or just had a really taxing gym session. I travel J more for leisure than business. I am not about to dress up to go on holiday. 
My standard are stretchy chinos or jeans and a long sleeved t. Sometimes sneakers, sometimes closed toed flats.

asw
asw

Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer

08 Aug 2012

Total posts 33

Smart casual works for me. 

I've also found asking for an upgrade works best when you're dressed appropriately for the cabin you want. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

12 Sep 2016

Total posts 3

My own dress code is similar to the author's: chinos, collared shirt and slip-on shoes. Add a jumper and maybe a coat (depending on season and destination) and I'm good to go. If I'm going straight to a meeting, I'll suit up, but cuff links are a pain at security (the voice of bitter experience). 

10 Feb 2016

Total posts 9

If I fly long-haul in J to either North America or Europe, I will wear (depending on the weather at the destination) a beige linen/cotton jacket, or a wool navy blazer onto the plane (with chinos, or maybe cotton jeans)  Most of my long-haul travel is with QF so I'll have PJs to wear on board, so the coat, trousers and shirt get hung up during the flight.  

Velocity

23 Feb 2016

Total posts 21

Neat dark jeans, a polo or smart t-shirt, a v-neck sweater for warmth and a pair of tracksuit pants in the carry-on for airlines that don't provide pyjamas.

SGP - don't know your industry but so happy I don't work in finance or legal where suits are a requirement (I work in digital media) - I have a couple of suits but chinos, shirts, a cool blazer and killer shoes is a great in between.

12 Apr 2017

Total posts 24

My view is smart casual ( especially the lengthy trip ) comefort is very important as long as the clothing is not tacky eg ripped jeans ect

But it's a changing world 
Mike

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

17 Mar 2016

Total posts 27

If one is traveling short distance smart casual is fine. Flying long haul one needs to be comfortable & have a routine for removal of clothes & shoes security. Whatever one wears should not be offensive to anyone for any reason. One should use common sense unfortunately common sense is as scarce as hens teeth!!  

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

21 Jul 2013

Total posts 57

Who cares? Comfort is the main thing. I feel sorry for the poor old stuffed shirts in suits when I'm sharing the business class cabin dressed in a polo shirt and shorts. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

22 Jul 2015

Total posts 219

In a word, yes. Dressed in shorts and a T plus thongs might be fine if heading to Bali, Fiji or the Gold Coast but a good look if in the Emirates Dubai lounges or say LAX or any US airport lounge that I have been to. 

EdS
EdS

QF

21 Jul 2016

Total posts 32

All good ideas, but personally I don't like to see occasional glimpses of hairy knee during flight. Hi-vis overalls are perfectly acceptable.  Perth standard lounge is full of hi-vis. When I asked if that was compulsory dress code, I was told that when the new business lounge was opened there would be none--- no such luck. Always hi-vis in the Perth business longe now, even the new Brisbane business lounge.

EdS
EdS

QF

21 Jul 2016

Total posts 32

On a personal note, wool slacks, chinos, but no jeans--too heavy for flying.

Business or sports shirt. Tie on the way out but never back.

04 May 2016

Total posts 34

Australian J flights seem to have way more "middle-aged grunge" pax than I see elsewhere. You know, the 30- and 40-something guys who think they're still in shape and still teenagers ... in dark tshirts and worn jeans (that probably cost them several hundred dollars !). Tragics.

13 Sep 2016

Total posts 55

Smart casual for holidays or weekends, business casual for business trips. That's all you need to know. Big fan of lightweight chinos. I'll make an exception when flying into a very hot climate on holidays such as Singapore, for which I'll wear clean 3/4 length dress shorts and slip-on shoes, which is still stylish.

07 Jun 2016

Total posts 29

For me it's less about setting up clear rules for which types of clothing are (un)acceptable. The guiding principle should be respect for fellow travellers. All too often I unfortunately find that the type of passenger travelling in shabby sports gear, dirty shoes, sandals (with bad foot hygiene) are also the often the first ones to behave unacceptably. They are typically the first ones with their naked feet up on the seat, against the front seat/bulkhead, on the lounge coffee table. Really sad sometimes but just shows you how knowing how to dress and behave in close proximity to strangers often goes hand in hand. 


And since we are talking about it. The Ines who really need a sartorial update are the poor souls of the Air NZ crew. Those uniforms are just atrocious. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer - Chairmans Lounge

01 Sep 2011

Total posts 414

Ahhh my hobbyhorse and soapbox topic. I don't think a collar and tie is essential or a necessity but show respect to other passengers and look presentable. It drives me nuts seeing people with bare feet, looking a mess etc. They may have paid a reasonable amount for an air ticket but so have I and if I can have respect for other passengers then feel the same should be in reverse. Don't fly up front on a full service airline dressed as if you have the cheapest ticket on Tiger, Ryanair or Easyjet. Also, standards in lounges have dropped heavily. It is not your home, get your feet off tables and couches. There needs to be better policing with dress codes into lounges - too many using the QF Singapore and Hong Kong look slovenly. I'll probably get slammed but I don't care you wont change my mind. QF please bring in dress guidelines for international lounges and continue to enforce the ones you have for domestics.

British Airways - Executive Club

28 Mar 2014

Total posts 70

In the KL MH F lounge last week there was a couple who were both dressed in cheap thongs, beach shorts and t shirts. 


Even if flying to a hot destination, there is no excuse to not get changed afterusing the hotel pool




Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer - Chairmans Lounge

01 Sep 2011

Total posts 414

Couldn't agree more. There is no excuse. In my view its just people being smartar**s. It is just poor manners and attention seekers.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

06 Oct 2016

Total posts 162

I was having a discussion with a new staff member yesterday about our "Casual Friday" (which I think is suitable travel attire) and I rolled out my old mantra - Friday is not Saturday :)

06 Dec 2014

Total posts 27

Flying within OZ, the destination and time of year determines my apparel. I always wear boat shoes as they are slip-ons and always a collared shirt. A smart set of jeans or similar shorts (sometimes they are sports shorts but don't look like footy gear) covers the lower half. All the clothing is comfortable which is the major priority.

30 Aug 2013

Total posts 439

Neat dark jeans, a neat plain black t-shirt and clean, plain sneakers are my normal attire for business class. They need to be comfortable enough to sleep in and dark enough to hide any spills. I do not understand how anyone sleeps in a suit.

For (proper) F class I’ll go chinos, a shirt and a neat blazer.

I think the key is clean, neat, well-fitting clothes.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

01 Mar 2013

Total posts 169

It's a great subject isn't it. I'm with David. You can look smart, men and women, without going over the top. Of course, shower before you get on that plane! (yee gads people).

Australian dress sense is not a global dress sense. Too many times I've found myself in dicey situations (Lagos, Luanda, there's just two extravagant locales).

When dressed smart you'll get attention, be treated well and, in my experience, be given the leg up first and with a smile.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

26 Jan 2012

Total posts 1

Yes always a good idea to look smart, fresh and clean in any class - at least at the beginning of any flight !

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

17 Sep 2015

Total posts 3

Dead set I pay for first and business class I'll wear what ever I'm comfortable in. Are we that concerned about what other wear.  

Air New Zealand - Airpoints

08 Aug 2014

Total posts 39

Yes, you should always dress up in Business and First. Show some respect and have some class. You are a grown-up, not a large child. And besides, what would your mother say?

QFF

31 Mar 2015

Total posts 9

What I wear when I get on board depends on where I coming from and what I wear when I leave depends on where I am going to. PJ's are the norm in-between. Cargo Pants, Polo Shirt and Colorados for the cold and Shorts, Polo Shirt and Sandals for the hot. Always ensure socks are on as soon as you change into PJ's. Nothing worse than smelly bare feet in a small cabin. I haven't owned a suit in 15 years and only wear ties for weddings and funerals. :)

29 Jan 2012

Total posts 168

Definitely dress up and retain the standards! On saying that though, there is nothing wrong with changing into comfortable and presentable pj's during the quiet periods of the flight.

Emirates Airlines - Skywards

05 Jun 2017

Total posts 28

I fly EK first and business frequently and I love wearing shorts as they don't constrict movement and u don't get hot in them. I pair them with a collared short sleeved shirt, socks and sneakers. It is very comfortable for long flights. The only drawback is if you arrive somewhere very cold. In 2001, I walked out of Hamburg International into the snow, looking like a total dork in shorts and tee shirt. After that, I always take an appropriate change of clothes and change in the bathroom before landing. Very easy in EK A380 F bathroom!

Emirates Airlines - Skywards

05 Jun 2017

Total posts 28

And I have never been given a second glance in the many times I have entered the Dubai first class lounge in shorts and tee shirt

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Aug 2016

Total posts 64

David, I dress like you if I'm flying the day before but if I'm flying Domestic and stepping off to go straight into meetings, then it's either suit and tie (likely for SYD and MEL) or open neck long sleeve business shirt (for CBR, ADL and PER). 

Joe
Joe

03 May 2013

Total posts 670

I think us Aussies are the worst dressed in QF premium cabins. I always note this when transiting in LHR and DXB. You can spot the Aussie a mile away. Considering pyjamas are offered in J as well as F why go travelling looking like you've just scored big time at a k-mart target or kathmandu sale? No need for a tux but gee some travellers take casual and drab to a whole new level.


Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Should you dress up for business class?