That beach outfit might feel right when you board, but cabin crew have a few solid reasons for recommending long trousers on flights — and hygiene is only the start.

Start with the seat itself. Flight attendants who spoke to The Independent describe seats soiled with everything from changed nappies to vomit and other bodily fluids. With turnarounds often under 30 minutes, cleaning crews focus on galleys, lavatories and rubbish — the main cabin mostly waits for an overnight clean. Deep cleans do happen (Singapore Airlines monthly, American Airlines roughly every 45 days, British Airways every 500 flight hours), but that's a long gap between scrubs. Bare legs on an airline seat means direct contact with whatever the last few hundred passengers left behind.

Temperature is the other common complaint. On the ground in hot weather, ventilation is limited and cabins heat up fast; in the air, the air conditioning can push the cabin close to chilly. Shorts-wearers end up begging for blankets that may not exist — or may not have been washed since the last flight.

Then there's the middle seat squeeze. In a packed economy row, three people in shorts means bare skin brushing bare skin for hours. Reddit threads are full of passengers who spent entire flights with legs clamped together rather than make accidental contact with a neighbour.

The strongest argument, though, is safety. Evacuations have become more frequent, and crews have about 90 seconds to get everyone out — with only half the exits usable. Synthetic gym wear like polyester and nylon can melt onto skin near fire, so natural fibres such as cotton, linen or wool are a smarter bet. Footwear matters too: flip-flops fall off, high heels can puncture the evacuation slide, and sturdy closed shoes protect against hot or jagged metal. Keep shoes on for takeoff and landing, and leave the bags behind — dragging luggage down the slide slows everyone and can damage it.

A few extra cabin habits worth adopting: always wear shoes to the lavatory (the floor liquid is not water), wipe down your tray table and seatbelt, bring a scarf or thin blanket as a barrier against the seat, and pack essentials like your passport and phone in your pockets rather than the overhead bin.

Even officials have waded in — US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has asked passengers to dress with respect when flying, framing it as part of restoring civility to airports.

You don't need to fly in a suit. But trading shorts for lightweight long trousers costs you nothing in comfort and buys protection from grubby seats, freezing cabins and the worst-case scenario. If the people who fly every day for a living avoid them, it's worth listening.