The United States has launched a new national campaign urging airline passengers to “restore decorum to the airways”, as authorities grapple with persistently high levels of disruptive behaviour on commercial flights.
The initiative has been unveiled by Sean P. Duffy, who used a newly released video advert to call for a cultural reset in how travellers present themselves and interact while flying.
The campaign blends nostalgia with behavioural science, arguing that the way people dress and conduct themselves in airports and aircraft cabins has a direct impact on civility, stress levels and conflict. Duffy said increasingly casual attire, including pyjamas, slippers and loungewear, had coincided with what he described as a broader decline in courtesy and self-restraint among passengers.
Rather than prescribing a formal dress code, the message encourages travellers to dress with intention and respect, suggesting this can positively influence behaviour, reduce tension and improve interactions with crew and fellow passengers. The campaign also promotes basic etiquette, including saying “please” and “thank you”, showing patience during delays and offering small acts of help such as assisting others with overhead luggage.
The move comes against a backdrop of heightened concern about safety and passenger conduct. US aviation data shows a roughly 400 per cent increase in reported in-flight disturbances since 2019, with incidents still running well above pre-pandemic levels through 2024. During the peak of the crisis in 2021, almost one in five flight attendants reported experiencing a physical confrontation, highlighting the strain placed on frontline staff.
While the number of severe incidents has eased from its pandemic high, regulators and airlines say unruly behaviour remains a serious operational issue, leading to diversions, delays and long-term bans for offenders.
For frequent and business travellers, the campaign signals a possible shift towards a more structured and etiquette-driven flying environment. Industry observers say a successful push could help stabilise cabin culture, improve crew-passenger relations and reduce the unpredictability that has crept into air travel in recent years.
It may also influence corporate travel norms, with some companies already reconsidering smart-casual expectations for client-facing journeys, particularly on long-haul or premium routes.
Although the initiative is US-led, its themes are likely to resonate internationally. UK airlines and airports have faced similar challenges with disruptive passengers, and aviation policy often follows US precedents. While no comparable UK government campaign has yet been announced, industry figures suggest airlines on both sides of the Atlantic are increasingly aligned on the need to prioritise civility, safety and crew wellbeing as travel demand continues to recover.