Aeroplane floors can harbour germs, spills, and debris, but there’s an even more critical reason to avoid going barefoot: safety during emergencies.
In the event of an emergency evacuation sharp objects such as torn metal, broken glass, or spilled liquids on the cabin floor could pose serious risks to bare feet.
According to aviation safety research, most plane crashes occur within the first three minutes after take-off and the last eight minutes before landing. These accidents are often survivable as the plane is close to the ground.
Keeping your shoes on ensures you’re prepared to move quickly and safely if needed. If you want added comfort during the flight, switch to travel socks or lightweight slippers, but always have your shoes within easy reach to slip on in an emergency. If you do like to take your shoes off make sure you do so 15 minutes after take-off and then put them back on 15 minutes before landing.
Travel-safe!
