While often considered a go-to for comfort during travel, leggings have been flagged by a travel expert as one of the least suitable clothing items to wear on an airplane. Despite their 'second-skin' feel, the synthetic materials typically used in leggings pose a significant safety risk in the rare event of an emergency evacuation, particularly if a fire or emergency landing occurs.

According to travel expert Polly, garments made from synthetic fabrics such as polyester or spandex are prone to melting when exposed to high heat. This could result in the material fusing to the wearer's skin, thereby significantly worsening potential injuries. Given that the majority of leggings are crafted from these very materials, they are deemed unsafe for air travel.

Aviation safety professionals and flight experts strongly advise passengers to opt for loose-fitting natural fibers when flying. Materials like cotton, wool, or denim are recommended as they offer greater fire resistance and provide a safer option in worst-case scenarios. This advice emphasizes choosing 'cotton cosy' over 'plastic cosy' for safety reasons.

The expert's warning is reinforced by others, including a former flight attendant who corroborated the advice, noting that they consistently share this information with others. The flight attendant also suggested wearing leather shoes, preferably with leather soles, due to the surprising heat that can be encountered on an aircraft wing during an emergency exit. Other commenters recalled similar warnings about old pantyhose melting to the skin in a fire, further highlighting the dangers of synthetic materials.

While some travelers, caught mid-flight in leggings, expressed dismay, others voiced their preference for dressing 'to the nines' for the airport or reserving leggings strictly for gym activities. Ironically, simple jeans, often perceived as less comfortable than leggings, emerge as one of the better bottoms to wear for air travel due to their natural fiber composition and protective qualities.