Our Editors Love Wearing Jeans on the Plane—Yes, Really

I have a short torso and shorter legs (I’m 5’3″), so it can be hard for me to find my just-right Goldilocks fit. But when the brand Just Black Denim was put on my radar a year ago, the stylish and stretchy design caught my eye. The Longer Length straight pair in the vintage medium colorway is my current favorite for travel. Their naturally faded look and hip-hugging fit remind me of the ’90s-inspired jeans I used to wear—but way more comfortable. A pleasant surprise is how stretchy the jeans are while still looking tight; I’ve even fit winter leggings underneath them (on a plane, nonetheless!). They can be dressed up with a snakeskin boot or worn casually with a graphic band tee. Note: Given the longer length, I almost always have to pair these with a platform shoe or boot. Otherwise, they’d drag. —J.C.

These pants may look like a stylish pair of wide-leg jeans, but due to their construction of 100% cotton terry cloth, they feel and function like your favorite pair of cozy sweatpants. I love their unique style and design, making them a step up from your everyday denim, and I can wear them comfortably on a 12-hour flight (everyone around me is always jealous that I can look pulled-together even when stepping off a red-eye). I bought a pair immediately after seeing a friend of mine sporting these in the airport, and I haven’t regretted it. One thing to keep in mind is that the pants are great for taller folk, but if you’re shorter or average-height, you’ll likely have to get them hemmed like I did (I’m 5’4”). —Jamie Spain, travel bookings commerce editor

Work trips usually require a certain level of presentability at the airport or train station because more often than not, I’m traveling with colleagues and other journalists. So, sweatpants and more cozy attire aren’t always an option. As an alternative, I’ve started to rely on super-relaxed denim like Still Here’s viral jeans. Made from 100% cotton with a wide-leg cut and low rise, the New York–based brand’s Cool jeans are made with a pajama-like feel that’s perfect for long-haul flights. Its drawstring detail at the front is an added bonus. The almost-always sold out style comes in seven different versions. The dark wash shade, according to associate articles director Megan Spurrell, who also has them, is prime for travel. —Shelby Ying Hyde, contributor

The concept of dozing off in jeans has never sat well with me, though this pair has challenged my stance entirely. Soft yet sturdy with a relaxed fit, Citizens of Humanity’s Ayla jeans have the perfect amount of bagginess while still feeling elevated and ridiculously comfy. Mine are in Claremont, a medium indigo shade with soft fading for a lived-in look. They’re my go-to for travel (and just about every other occasion). —Skyli Alvarez, editorial assistant

I found my first pair of Levi’s Baggy Dad Jeans second-hand in black, and loved them so much that I promptly ordered them in a dark blue wash too. It’s rare that your go-to everyday jeans can also double as your go-to plane jeans, but these guys work overtime. They’re technically mid-rise, but I prefer buying them slightly large so they sit low-waisted for extra comfort. They have a very satisfying bagginess to them, but the straight leg cut keeps them from ballooning out. Overall, they’re structured enough for the outfit to appear put together, but I feel within my heart that I am wearing sweats. —Mercedes Bleth, global social director

I’m going to be honest here, when a few of my fellow editors told me they enjoy wearing jeans on planes, I thought they were a little nuts. But after wearing Halara’s Flex high-waisted jeans over the last year, I finally got it. Apparently, it is possible to find a pair that’s comfortable enough to sit in for hours without any digging or pinching in all the wrong places. And they’re high-waisted, meaning they’re flattering and supportive, but they feel just as lightweight around the waist as a pair of sweats. This pair looks like your normal everyday dark wash denim, but the material is so soft and stretchy. I don’t feel like I’m wearing jeans at all—so much so that I’ve worn them everywhere recently—from Christmas dinner to Sunday grocery shopping to long car rides. The cuff at the bottom is a nice detail, too, making them look just as stylish as they are comfy. And I am not lying when I say I’ve received more compliments on these jeans, from friends, family, and strangers at a store, than I have on any pair of Levi’s or other pricey denim I’ve ever worn. They’re available in a few different washes and lengths. —Meaghan Kenny, commerce editor

White jeans? On a plane? Yes, it’s a good idea. (No, really.) On flights when I need to step off the runway looking a little more put together, I skip my sweats and throw on these wide-leg beauties. The four-way stretch fabric feels as flexible as my favorite pair of leggings, and the breezy leg style allows for plenty of mobility. I love the nautical-inspired look for summer, but the color is also great for a winter white moment when the temps get cool—and don’t worry, they’re machine washable in case of any spills. —Hannah Chubb, senior commerce editor

A bestseller for good reason, these mid-rise wide-leg Sukis have become one of my most-worn pairs this past year. They feel as soft and comfy as yoga pants (I’d say sweatpants, but that undersells their fabulousness). I can do squats, spins, or take a nap in them and still feel put together. The curvy fit and flattering silhouette are balanced by a stretchy fabric and contoured waistband that delivers a true zero-gap fit—no tugging or adjusting, even on long travel days. I’ve layered thin leggings underneath them for cold-weather outings and I was comfortable all day long. I also love the back pockets, finished with the brand’s signature “S,”—it feels delightfully reminiscent of the Y2K pairs that always made me feel a little fierce. The dark wash goes with everything in my capsule wardrobe. —J.C.

In almost all of my travel pictures from the last two summers, I am, somewhat embarrassingly, wearing the same pair of jeans: Everlane’s semi-oversized Utility Barrel jeans. Made of surprisingly soft organic cotton and the perfect dimensions for a relaxed waist, wide legs, and tapered ankle opening, they simply look cool with anything while being absolutely comfortable enough for the plane. My favorite way to wear them, though, is with a pair of block heels. They’re the rare unicorn that can go from in-flight nap to dinner date if you’re in a pinch. —Shannon McMahon, senior destinations editor

If there’s a time and place for low-rise (or in this case, mid-rise) jeans, it’s a plane. These are on the pricier side, but a good investment: I’ve had this pair for at least three years now, and the bootcut has a timeless look to it that’s so far survived the ever-shifting silhouette trends. The denim is soft, stretchy, and durable. You’ll still feel comfortably swaddled but not suffocated—the waistband has enough stretch to counteract the mid-air bloat. While I’ve definitely fallen asleep in these, they are moreso a good pick for shorter flights where you want to look semi-presentable or need to get out into the world straight from the airport. Pair it with a cashmere sweater, bomber jacket, and boots. —Hannah Towey, associate news and transportation editor

This article got me thinking: If we all dressed up more for travel, would the airport be a bit more civilized? Nevertheless, if I absolutely have to wear jeans on a flight, I’m pairing these Levi’s 568 Loose Straight jeans with a casual T-shirt and a hoodie. The loose fit allows me to stay comfortable while still appearing put together. Combine them with a pair of casual loafers or Nike Air Force 1s for a foolproof airport uniform. –Erik Buckingham, commerce producer

To many of my friends’ disbelief, I almost always travel in jeans. Especially on a long or overnight flight. I hate getting off the plane and arriving at a destination feeling and perhaps looking schlumpy. (Don’t even get me started on people traveling in pajamas or pajama-adjacent clothing.) While jeans with stretch are definitely tempting, they often get stretched out and baggy in all the wrong places. Instead, I opt for a loose-fitting non-stretch denim, like The Willow Jean. They’re baggy in overall fit, but they don’t bag, and they have an interesting, architectural shape that doesn’t collapse with wear. Meaning: I can rewear them throughout my actual trip. Do note: With wide legs, you often sort of run the risk of them pooling on the floor when you’re in the restroom—so just give them a little preemptive hike up so the bottoms don’t gather around your feet. Still, the Willow Jeans are super comfortable while looking sharp. Total denim win-win. —Rebecca Misner, features director

While I’m more likely to wear a slightly stretchier pair on a long-haul flight, I pack these dusty black low-rise jeans from Silver Jeans Co. everywhere I go. They’re stretchy enough for a quick flight or train ride and always end up being one of the items I reach for most. The design makes for an ideal blend of casually slouchy yet aesthetic and leg-lengthening. I can wear them from day to night, accessorize them in different ways, and still look like I’ve given my outfit my all. It’s kind of fun when no one knows how comfortable your cute jeans really are. —J.C.