For your safety, all adults and children who are capable of walking must wear footwear (thongs are acceptable) during boarding and disembarking. Bare feet and/or socks are not acceptable except for: An infant, baby or child being carried. A customer using a medical device like a wheelchair or crutches.

In 2026, you are generally permitted to wear thongs (flip-flops) on a plane, as most airlines do not have a formal dress code for footwear in economy or business class. However, travel experts and safety professionals strongly advise against it for several practical reasons. First, aircraft cabins and lavatory floors are notorious for being less than perfectly clean; wearing open-toed shoes exposes your feet to bacteria and grime that rarely get deep-cleaned. Second, from a safety perspective, thongs are difficult to run in and provide zero protection for your feet in the unlikely event of an emergency evacuation or fire. Third, cabins can become quite chilly during flight due to the air conditioning, and you may find your feet uncomfortably cold without socks or closed shoes. While Hawaiian Airlines is one of the few carriers with a published policy that could technically prohibit "swimwear-adjacent" attire, most gate agents will only intervene if your clothing is deemed offensive or a safety hazard.