Air Travel's Throwback: Will Manners and Dressing Up Make a Comeback?

Alright, folks, buckle up, because we're about to take a wild ride through the past, present, and future of air travel. The U.S. Transportation Department is throwing a bit of a curveball with its new "civility campaign," urging travelers to, well, dress respectfully and behave themselves. I know, right? It sounds like something straight out of a black-and-white movie!

The DOT's initiative, "The Golden Age of Travel Starts With You," is sparking some serious debate. Secretary Sean P. Duffy is channeling the spirit of the 1950s and '60s, when flying was an event, not just a means of getting from A to B. Think about it: gourmet meals, dapper outfits, and an air of sophistication. Now, compare that to today's reality of cramped seats, stale pretzels, and, let's be honest, some questionable fashion choices.

Is it even possible to bring back that level of glamour? I mean, can we realistically expect people to trade in their sweatpants for suits when they're crammed into a flying metal tube?

The High-Flying Reality Check

The DOT's campaign isn't just about aesthetics; it's a response to a real problem. Since 2019, the FAA has seen a 400% increase in in-flight disturbances! That's not just a minor bump; that's a full-blown crisis of civility. Imagine being a flight attendant dealing with that kind of chaos on a daily basis. No thank you.

Airlines already have basic dress code policies, of course. American Airlines asks passengers to "dress appropriately," and Spirit Airlines is even more explicit, banning see-through clothing and exposed bits. But is that enough? Is a dress code the answer, or just a band-aid on a deeper cultural issue?

What if the real key is not what we wear, but how we treat each other?

One Instagram user hit the nail on the head, writing, "When planes are nice again, I’ll wear a business type outfit to get on one… Since we are all smashed like sardines and get one bag of stale pretzels if we are lucky? I’ll be wearing jeans or anything else I want..." It's a fair point. The experience has to meet the expectation.

It reminds me of the early days of the internet. Remember when we thought it would bring us all together in a global village? Now, we're battling misinformation and online trolls. The technology is there, but the human element is still catching up.

Personal Reaction: When I read comments like these, I’m not discouraged. I'm inspired. It shows people want to believe. They want to be part of something better.

And it's not just about the U.S. Royal Air Maroc is planning new flights between Casablanca and Los Angeles, potentially making LAX one of the few airports with passenger flights to six continents! That’s huge! It’s a paradigm shift in global connectivity. Royal Air Maroc Eyes New Flights to Entertainment Capital of the World with 787

This is a long-haul flight - expected to take 11-12 hours. I wonder, will passengers dress up for this long flight? What will they wear?

A Glimpse of a More Connected Future

The Royal Air Maroc news is a reminder that travel is still evolving. It’s becoming more accessible, more global, and, hopefully, more mindful. The airline will be using its Boeing 787 fleet, and they're aiming to launch in June 2026, just in time for the FIFA World Cup. The strategic timing is deliberate, of course. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is projected to drive strong demand across the North American market, creating favorable conditions for transatlantic and Africa-bound travel.

But here’s the really exciting part: these new routes could create efficient one-stop links from Los Angeles to several African destinations and select European markets. Imagine the possibilities!

However, it’s worth noting that Royal Air Maroc will likely need to cut or reduce another long-haul service to support this operation, given their fleet size. That’s the reality of limited resources. It’s like a chess game; you have to sacrifice one piece to gain a strategic advantage.

As exciting as this is, we also need to consider the ethical implications. With increased global travel comes increased environmental impact. It's our responsibility to find sustainable ways to connect the world without harming it.

Time to Fasten Your Seatbelts

So, will we see a return to the "Golden Age of Travel?" Maybe not in its exact form. But I believe we can create a new era of air travel that combines the glamour of the past with the comfort and accessibility of the present. It will require a collective effort from airlines, passengers, and policymakers.

Think of it as a modern renaissance. We’re not just going back; we’re building something new, something better. The speed of this is just staggering—it means the gap between today and tomorrow is closing faster than we can even comprehend.

So, What Does This All Mean?

It means the future of travel isn't just about getting from point A to point B. It's about how we get there, how we treat each other, and how we connect with the world. It's about creating a journey that's not only efficient but also enjoyable, respectful, and maybe, just maybe, a little bit glamorous. It's time to reclaim the skies, one well-dressed, well-mannered traveler at a time.