U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy Advocates for Airport Dress Code and Fitness Zones
United States Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy is doubling down on his viral comments regarding airport attire and passenger behavior. In a recent appearance on NewsNation’s Katie Pavlich Tonight, the 54-year-old official emphasized that dressing appropriately can lead to better conduct among travelers.
Duffy's Stance on Airport Attire
Duffy firmly stated, “I can’t mandate you dress up, but don’t wear pajamas and slippers to the airport.” He believes that when individuals dress better, they tend to behave better. This perspective is part of his broader vision to foster a more civil travel environment.
According to People magazine, Duffy views sweatpants as a potential catalyst for poor manners, which have become a significant issue in air travel. He acknowledged the realities of modern flying, where passengers are often packed into tight seats to keep costs down. “We’re all getting into pretty tight airline seats. The prices go down when we do that,” he explained. “But I want people to be well behaved and I think a little better dressed would help with that.”
Proposing Airport Fitness Hubs
Beyond attire, Duffy is pitching an innovative idea to transform airports into mini fitness hubs. He suggested, “We want mini gyms. So if you want to walk through the airport and have a little bit of time, and you want to crank out a couple of pull-ups, or a couple of push-ups.” However, he clarified that he is not advocating for intense workouts that leave passengers sweaty before boarding. “I don’t want you to do the full workout, sweating on the flight,” he added. “You want to burn a little energy, have a little space to do that.”
Consistent Messaging on Travel Civility
This is not the first time Duffy has promoted these ideas. Back in November 2025, ahead of the stressful Thanksgiving travel period, he rolled out similar advice as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Golden Age of Travel” campaign. The initiative aimed to inspire a return to civility and curb a record surge in unruly passengers.
At that time, Duffy encouraged people to dress better to encourage better behavior, specifically advising against wearing slippers and pajamas to airports. He also stressed the importance of common courtesy, saying, “A little gratitude goes a long way. If we all do that, I think we’re going to have a far better travel season.” He added that such efforts would help travelers arrive at their destinations with a better attitude.
Weeks later, during a December 2025 news conference for his “Make Travel Family Friendly Again” initiative, Duffy once again floated the idea of airport workout zones. “Maybe I want a workout area where people might get some blood flowing doing some pull-ups or some step-ups in the airport,” he said, per People.
Leading by Example
Duffy put some muscle behind his message by participating in a pull-up contest with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a news conference. Kennedy, 72, managed 20 pull-ups, while Duffy tapped out after 10, demonstrating a lighthearted commitment to his fitness proposals.
Overall, Sean Duffy’s persistent advocacy for improved airport dress codes and the introduction of fitness zones highlights his ongoing efforts to enhance passenger behavior and create a more pleasant travel experience for all.
