What to wear on a long flight

Dress in layers to manage temperature fluctuations

The most useful criterion is to dress in layers: being able to add or remove clothes adapts to cabin temperature changes much better than a single heavy garment, which often turns out excessive during the warmer phases of the flight.

Breathable fabrics and practical footwear

Breathable fabrics are preferable to synthetic ones, which trap heat and moisture during prolonged sitting. For footwear, shoes that are easy to remove improve circulation, while an extra pair of socks protects against cold when feet swell, as almost always happens after several hours of immobility.

Loose waist and circulation: the role of compression socks

Avoiding tight-fitting clothing at the waist promotes digestion and blood circulation. On flights that exceed four hours — the threshold from which the risk of slowing circulation in the legs increases 2-3 times compared to normal, though remaining a rare event — compression socks are one of the preventive measures recommended along with regular leg movement during the flight.

Already-tested garments, not brand-new ones

Choosing clothes already worn on other occasions, instead of brand-new garments never tried before, avoids unexpected discomfort discovered only on board, when there's no way to change. For those who want to learn more about how much and when to get up during a long flight, our guide on how and when to move during a long flight offers practical guidance.

Always bring a pair of comfortable shoes that fasten easily and an extra pair of socks: on a flight of more than four hours, feet almost always swell, and a pair of tight shoes becomes the most annoying problem of the entire trip.