The Quest for Civility in the Skies: Can America Return to a “Golden Age” of Air Travel?

As millions of Americans prepare to navigate busy airports this holiday season, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has launched a nationwide campaign called “The Golden Age of Travel Starts With You.” The initiative aims to revive courtesy and respect in air travel during one of the year’s busiest periods, with nearly 82 million Americans expected to travel over Thanksgiving. At a press conference in Newark Liberty Airport, Duffy urged travelers to say “please” and “thank you” to airline staff and suggested that passengers should consider “dressing with some respect” rather than wearing pajamas and slippers to the airport. A Department of Transportation spokesperson emphasized that the campaign seeks to “jump-start a nationwide conversation” about restoring courtesy to air travel, benefiting not only passengers but ensuring the safety of aviation workers as well. The spokesperson connected these goals to the broader Trump Administration focus on “improving the lives of American families,” suggesting that small acts of kindness can make significant differences in travel experiences.

The campaign has sparked discussion about whether such an initiative can succeed in today’s travel environment. Stephanie Wallach, one of America’s first female airline pilots who has witnessed air travel evolve since the 1950s, believes Duffy’s hopes of elevating dress standards are unlikely to succeed. “The attire of passengers has changed enormously in my 75 years of flying. But what is considered acceptable dress now and then has changed everywhere,” she told Newsweek. “I think Sean Duffy’s attempt to put that genie back in the bottle just won’t work. It’s too late.” Interestingly, Wallach recalled that during her piloting days, unruly passenger incidents were primarily concentrated in first class, fueled by “a nasty mix of entitlement and alcohol.” While she considers dress code changes unrealistic, she acknowledges that behavior improvements might be possible – though she suggests airlines and the TSA could help by treating “poor, beleaguered, and embattled passengers” with more kindness and gentleness.

The discomfort of modern air travel significantly contributes to passenger frustration, according to both aviation experts interviewed. Wallach pointed out that being “scrunched into an ever-shrinking seat with a tiny bag of salted croutons and a 6-ounce cup of Dr. Pepper” doesn’t put travelers in a “particularly joyous mood” unless they’re in first class. Dan Bubb, a historian, former airline pilot, and professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, added historical context, explaining how air travel has transformed since the 1960s and 1970s when “passengers dressed in their nicest clothes” and coach passengers commonly received meals. Before airline deregulation in 1978, air travel was relatively expensive and inaccessible to average blue-collar workers, with fewer flights available. As travel became more accessible in the 1980s and 1990s, dress codes naturally relaxed, reflecting broader societal changes rather than simply declining standards.

The physical realities of modern air travel create conditions that make civility more challenging. Bubb emphasized that seats in earlier decades were wider with more legroom, whereas today’s economy class configurations prioritize profitability by maximizing the number of seats. “Passengers don’t feel comfortable dressing in their nicest clothes, especially when they feel like they are being crammed together,” he explained. The sheer volume of travelers today compared to previous eras also creates more opportunities for friction. Bubb identified multiple contributors to modern air travel incivility: cramped conditions, excessive alcohol consumption, and personal challenges that travelers bring with them. Given these systemic pressures, he believes the White House’s expectations for behavior reminiscent of the 1960s and 1970s may be “a bit unrealistic” without addressing the underlying conditions of air travel today.

Rather than simply appealing to nostalgia or personal responsibility, meaningful improvements to air travel civility might require structural changes. Bubb suggested several policy adjustments that could more effectively improve behavior: providing passengers more physical space, including meals in ticket prices, reducing alcohol consumption, streamlining airport security processes, simplifying parking, expanding gate areas, and encouraging mutual courtesy between passengers and crew. These changes address the root causes of frustration rather than merely asking travelers to behave better within an increasingly stressful environment. The systemic nature of today’s travel challenges suggests that civility requires more than just better manners – it needs conditions that make courtesy possible and natural rather than a constant struggle against environmental stressors.

Despite acknowledging the substantial challenges facing modern air travelers, both aviation experts emphasized that kindness and consideration still matter significantly. Bubb shared that during his piloting career, passengers were generally “kind and respectful to the flight crew and each other” despite the industry changes already underway. He recommends that travelers focus on patience, perhaps get some exercise before flights, and express gratitude to airline staff – noting that he personally gives Starbucks gift cards to flight attendants to brighten their day. While Duffy’s campaign may face skepticism about its effectiveness without addressing systemic issues, the core message about treating others with respect remains valuable. As millions navigate crowded terminals this holiday season, perhaps the most realistic goal isn’t returning to a mythologized golden age, but rather finding ways to make today’s travel experience more humane through both personal courtesy and meaningful industry improvements.