US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has launched a new initiative urging air travelers to bring courtesy back to the skies, starting with what they wear to the airport.
On November 23, 2025, Duffy unveiled “The Golden Age of Travel Starts With You,” a civility campaign aimed at addressing what he described as “a degradation in civility” among passengers.
“Let’s try not to wear slippers and pajamas as we come to the airport,” Duffy said, as reported by Fox News. “Whether it’s a pair of jeans and a decent shirt, I would encourage people to maybe dress a little bit better, which encourages us to maybe behave a little better.”
The Golden Age of Travel starts with YOU and ME and ALL OF US!
Civility is on its way back 🇺🇸🛩️ pic.twitter.com/p250IgLLir
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) November 23, 2025
The Transportation Department said the campaign is designed to “jumpstart a nationwide conversation around how we can all restore courtesy and class to air travel.” Duffy encouraged travelers to say please and thank you to pilots and flight attendants, help others with overhead bins, and maintain control of their children in airports.
“Civility in the air space does start with you,” Duffly said in a video campaign by DOT.
The initiative comes as unruly passenger incidents remain roughly double their pre-pandemic levels, according to Federal Aviation Administration data. Reports peaked in 2021, with nearly one in five flight attendants experiencing a physical incident that year, according to union and FAA data, cited by FOX Business.
Lily has been a flight attendant with @united for 19 proud years and has seen it all! 🛩️
She has unique insight on returning to the GOLDEN AGE of TRAVEL… starting with some tips to know before you fly ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/vrTC7N3HNC
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) November 26, 2025
Better outfits, better snacks
Beyond dress codes, Duffy also shared his thoughts on in-flight refreshments.
“I would love some better snacks. I would love a little healthier snack on the airplane,” he said, as told to Blaze News. “It would be much better if I didn’t get the really fattening cookie full of butter, sugar and crap. Or that little snack pack of pretzels.”
360,000 flights expected over Thanksgiving
While promoting civility and travel etiquette, Duffy is also overseeing a $12.5 billion overhaul of the US air traffic control system and addressing a persistent shortage of air traffic controllers.
He is seeking congressional approval for an additional $19 billion to complete the modernization effort.
The secretary has faced criticism after withdrawing a plan by his predecessor to require airlines to pay passengers cash compensation for US flight disruptions caused by carriers.
Defending the decision, Duffy told Fox News he was taking a “common-sense approach,” arguing the compensation plan would lead to higher ticket prices. “We just want to have the right balance between the airlines and the passengers,” he said.
Unlike the US, the European Union, Canada, Brazil, and Britain all have airline delay compensation rules.
As the busy Thanksgiving travel period approaches, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the agency is ready to handle more than 360,000 flights.
“Thanks to the dedication of our air traffic controllers and every FAA employee, we are ready for the holiday rush,” Bedford said.
