U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has taken a stand at Newark Airport, spotlighting a trend that’s turning airplane cabins into bedroom extensions.

Addressing reporters on Monday, Duffy launched a 'civility campaign' to curb the decline in traveler behavior, specifically urging passengers to ditch pajamas and slippers at the airport, Fox News reported.

His initiative isn’t just about wardrobe choices. It’s a push for courtesy, with calls to say please and thank you to flight crews and assist fellow passengers with overhead bins.

Restoring Respect in the Skies

Duffy’s words carry weight amid a 400% spike in in-flight disturbances since 2019. Federal Aviation Administration data paints a grim picture of escalating disruptions, from verbal spats to outright violence.

Nearly one in five flight attendants faced physical incidents in 2021, and unruly passenger reports in 2024 remain stubbornly above pre-pandemic levels. It’s a trend begging for a cultural reset.

“Bringing civility back, I think, enhances the travel experience for everybody,” Duffy told FOX Business in an exclusive chat. His point hits hard when terminals feel more like chaotic lounges than public spaces.

Attire Shapes Attitude, Experts Say

Etiquette expert Diane Gottsman, founder of the Protocol School of Texas, backs Duffy’s stance with sharp clarity. “From an etiquette perspective, one's pajamas should be reserved for the privacy of one's own home or hotel room,” she told Fox News Digital, slicing through excuses about comfort.

Gottsman insists travelers can balance practicality with appropriateness. Pajamas in public aren’t a fashion statement; they’re a courtesy lapse.

Jacqueline Whitmore, a former flight attendant and founder of the Protocol School of Palm Beach, doubles down on the psychological angle. “The way we dress influences how we feel, how we behave and even how others respond to us,” she explained to Fox News Digital, linking attire to action.

Celebrity Influence or Cultural Decline?

Some point fingers at celebrity culture for normalizing loungewear in terminals. Ed Sheeran’s pajama-style pants at Los Angeles International Airport in 2015 and Rihanna’s silk sleepwear sightings have blurred the lines between private and public.

Yet, blaming stars sidesteps personal responsibility. If dressing with intention boosts confidence and respect, as Whitmore argues, then travelers own their part in setting the tone.

Whitmore’s nod to enclothed cognition, the idea that clothing shapes self-perception, isn’t just academic fluff. It’s a reminder that slippers on a plane signal more than comfort; they hint at disregard.

A Call for Intentional Travel Manners

Both experts agree this isn’t about social status or rigid formality. It’s about mutual respect, a value that’s taken a nosedive when flip-flops outrank pajamas as the better bad choice.

Whitmore offers a slight pass for children on overnight flights, acknowledging practical needs. Still, the broader message stands: airports aren’t bedrooms, and travelers aren’t excused from basic decorum.

Duffy’s campaign, paired with expert insights, challenges a society quick to prioritize personal ease over collective consideration. If dressing well signals respect for the journey and those sharing it, perhaps it’s time to pack pajamas in checked bags, not carry-ons.