Is It Actually Dangerous To Wear Leggings On A Flight?

Get on any flight these days and you’ll likely see at least a few of your fellow passengers sporting a pair of leggings as part of their travel outfit. With the rise of athleisure, people have come to understand the comfort of wearing these tight, stretchy pants in everyday life.

Unfortunately, the combination of leggings and air travel has led to issues in the past. In 2017, United Airlines sparked outrage for barring two teenage girls from boarding a flight because the gate agent deemed their leggings inappropriate.

It turns out, however, you might want to reconsider your choice of airplane legwear for reasons unrelated to questionable dress codes. Below, health and safety experts break down some potential issues with wearing leggings on a flight.

Aviation safety specialist Christine Negroni has made headlines for her warnings against wearing leggings on a flight. She’s even working on a new book called “Don’t Wear Leggings on an Airplane ― and Other Lessons From Unhappy Landings.”

“The issue with leggings is the nature of the material,” Negroni told HuffPost. “You have a tight garment that is usually made from synthetic fibers, made from petroleum products, which is not something you want to wear on an airplane because the largest risk in a survivable air accident is fire.”

She explained that most air accidents are actually survivable ― for instance, an emergency landing.

“In those cases, your biggest risk is not necessarily the impact but that something’s going to happen to the integrity of the airplane, resulting in a fire because of the fuel on board,” Negroni said.

In the event of a fire, wearing a garment of synthetic fibers fitted tightly against your skin is not ideal.

“It is going to get very hot, it will either melt on your skin or cause serious burns, and that becomes something that will impact your ability to escape the aircraft,” Negroni said. “In other words, if you’re not damaged beyond an ability to exit, to get out of the airplane, then you might be affected by the fire.”

That’s why she recommends wearing clothing made of cotton or other natural fibers that are less of a burn hazard ― as well as avoiding garments that restrict your ability to move if you need to climb over seats to make a swift exit.

Of course, your odds of being involved in an aviation accident are low, but Negroni believes it’s still worth making mindful choices.

“The biggest misconception people have is that if you’re in an airplane accident, you’re going to die, and it is statistically and demonstrably not true,” she said. “Unless air travelers understand their own role in survivability, they’re essentially gambling their ability to survive by remaining ignorant about the factors that they can control.”

“The clothing we wear when we fly can significantly impact our circulation,” said Dr. Hugh Pabarue, a physician and vein specialist with Metro Vein Centers. “For example, tight clothing is not recommended. Wearing leggings and other restrictive garments such as skinny jeans that are too tight reduces blood’s ability to flow into and out of the legs.”

Restricting the flow of blood between the legs and the heart can cause swelling, achiness, varicose veins and even more serious medical issues because the blood pools within your veins. Furthermore, the cabin air pressure can also impact circulation and contribute to swelling and discomfort.

“We’ve all experienced ankle or leg swelling during a flight. The decompressed cabin and sitting in an upright chair for more than two hours will always result in some swelling,” said Dr. Peter J. Pappas, a vascular surgeon with the Center for Vein Restoration.

“Sitting for extended periods of time, especially on planes, can lead to blood pooling in the legs, increasing the risk for deep vein thrombosis ― a serious medical condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein of the leg,” Pabarue added. “Wearing clothes that are too tight can potentially lead to conditions like compartment syndrome or meralgia paresthetica, causing numbness, tingling, and severe leg pain.”

Although the average passenger’s odds of developing a blood clot or other serious condition remain low, it’s still worth keeping your general health in mind as you travel.

Pabarue also emphasized that not all leggings are the same but generally advised against flying in tight leggings or jeans, especially if they’re tight around the waist, thighs and ankles. If wearing this kind of clothing is important to you, just try to choose leggings that are comfortable and not overly restrictive.

Although regular, everyday leggings aren’t ideal for your circulatory system on a flight, there are specialized legwear options that can have a positive impact.

“Medical-grade compression stockings counter the effects of a decompressed cabin,” Pappas said. “The compression stockings prevent the swelling and provide pain relief to your calf muscles. There is also data to indicate that patients with varicose veins who wear compression stockings during long plane flights have a decreased likelihood of developing a deep vein clot.”

He noted that medical-grade compression stockings can apply 20-30 or 30-40 millimeters of mercury pressure (mmHg). There are also sports-performance products that deliver 8-15 mmHg.

“Compression socks and leggings are designed to apply gentle pressure in a way that encourages blood and lymphatic fluid to move upwards, preventing pooling in the lower extremities,” said Val Oliveira, the founder and CEO of Brazilian Lymph Spa. “Unlike regular tight clothing, which may constrict in the wrong areas and actually hinder circulation, compression wear supports the body’s natural flow. This is especially beneficial on flights, where prolonged sitting can lead to swelling and discomfort.”

Keeping in mind Negroni’s point about safety, you might want to seek out compression garments made with more natural fibers like wool. There are also bamboo options on the market.

Whatever product you choose, just make sure it’s suitable for your body and health needs.

“Medical-grade compression leggings should be sized so that they fit comfortably for the waist to the ankles,” Pabarue said. “Loose-fitting clothing combined with compression socks can help ensure comfortable circulation during flights.”

Talking to your doctor can also help you determine which compression garments are safe for you, if any.

“If you have conditions such as peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, lower limb trauma or infection, consult your health-care provider prior to travel,” Pabarue said. “Use of compression with these conditions may be harmful in some cases.”

“The culture around leggings is great because we all get to wear this athletic leisure that’s comfortable and looks good, but that being said, it’s not the best choice for a flight,” lymphatic drainage expert Lara Henderson said.

She explained that the superficial lymphatic system is right underneath the skin and can be accessed with a very light touch.

“So any kind of tight clothing can influence the lymphatic system,” Henderson said. “And in the case of a situation where we’re sitting in a generally cramped environment and not moving around a lot, it can create kind of a tourniquet effect on the lymphatic system. So in places where it’s tighter in one area than another, it will impede the flow of the lymphatic system.”

These are particularly important considerations for people with lymphedema and for longer flights.

“Tight, restrictive clothing can impede lymphatic flow and blood circulation, leading to fluid retention, swelling and discomfort,” Oliveira said. “Regular leggings, especially if they are made of nonbreathable, overly tight material, can contribute to restricted circulation and lymphatic stagnation. While they may not ‘be dangerous’ for everyone, they can increase the risk of swelling ― especially in the legs and ankles ― and discomfort, particularly for those prone to fluid retention or poor circulation.”

She advised prioritizing fabrics and fits that allow the body to move naturally and promote blood and lymph flow.

“Well-fitted, breathable and supportive clothing can help maintain proper circulation, reduce swelling and prevent that sluggish, puffy feeling many people experience after long flights,” Oliveira said. “Joggers or relaxed-fit sweatpants allow for comfort and movement, reducing the risk of fluid retention and promoting better circulation overall.”

And remember that clothing choices aren’t the only way to take care of your health on a plane. You can also make sure to stay hydrated, watch your salt intake, get up and walk around and periodically flex and rotate your feet while sitting in your seat. A little bit goes a long way.