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Home » United Airlines » United Passenger Takes Off Pants During Boarding On Orlando Flight, Crew Allegedly Does Nothing
United Airlines

United Passenger Takes Off Pants During Boarding On Orlando Flight, Crew Allegedly Does Nothing

Matthew Klint Posted onJanuary 5, 2026 13 Comments

a person's arm with tattoos on their arm

If true, a bizarre incident from a recent United Airlines flight to Orlando is a reminder that airline cabin crews are expected to enforce more than just seatbelt rules…

United Passenger Pulls Off Trousers On Orlando Flight, Flight Attendants Allegedly Do Nothing

A passenger aboard a United Airlines flight bound for Orlando this week removed his pants shortly after boarding and apparently remained in that state of undress for the duration of the journey. An image posted to X shows the passenger, sporting blue hair and tattoos, settling into his seat after boarding without trousers, with his jeans and “Los Angeles” belt resting on his lap.

Wow, get this – my friend is flying to Orlando on @united right now. His seat mate has blue hair and apparently has taken off his pants. I’m told they were off by the time he got to his seat when boarding!! pic.twitter.com/HnxUdHPEVZ

— Matt Michels (@MattMichels10) January 4, 2026

One observer tweeted an explanation, noting his seatmate “has blue hair and apparently has taken off his pants. I’m told they were off by the time he got to his seat when boarding!” While the image is amusing, it also raises reasonable concerns about cabin management if this is underwear (and it sure looks to me like boxer briefs and not short shorts…).

I’ve seen passengers take their clothes off on a flight (also on United...), but never remove their trousers during boarding, unless it was briefly to put their pajamas on. Airlines have clear policies requiring passengers to be “properly clothed” and United’s own Contract of Carriage includes provisions allowing crew to refuse transport or remove a passenger who is barefoot or “improperly” clothed. I would have thought this would have fallen under that

Will flight attendants have to add checking if passengers are wearing pants as part of their pre-flight safety checklist? I say that only half jokingly.

CONCLUSION

I suppose it’s fair to say this all may be “much ado about nothing” if he is just wearing shorts, but honestly, what’s the difference between short, tight shorts and underwear? Pockets? An extra layer?

I’m not calling for people to dress up when they fly like it was the 1950s, but I don’t think it is too much to ask for folks to leave their trousers on when sit down in their seats?

Do you agree? Or should people (including flight attendants) just mind their own business?


image: @MattMichels10 / X // Hat Tip: View From The Wing

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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13 Comments

  1. derek Reply
    January 5, 2026 at 4:21 pm

    I would not advise dressing like this but the underwear is colored and there is no visible genitalia or pubic hair. I would leave that passenger alone. No arrest or flight ban.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      January 5, 2026 at 5:19 pm

      Is that the standard?

      • 1990 Reply
        January 5, 2026 at 6:24 pm

        LOL. derek is full of awful ‘hot takes’ on here…

  2. Maryland Reply
    January 5, 2026 at 4:50 pm

    It appears he is seated next to a mother and child. If they were not concerned, as inappropriate as it may look, any complaining should begin with the seatmate.

  3. ed lewis Reply
    January 6, 2026 at 6:43 am

    the flight attendents should be the social mores enforcers. They have plenty to do without adding this to the list.

  4. Kulak Reply
    January 6, 2026 at 8:19 am

    Not condoning this but I’ve seen worse worn to the airport and boarding the plane without “removing clothing.”

  5. Clanger Reply
    January 6, 2026 at 9:40 am

    At least he has nice legs.

    • Michael Reply
      January 6, 2026 at 4:44 pm

      I wanna see the face and then decide if this move was OK.

  6. Edward Reply
    January 6, 2026 at 10:52 am

    He’s not 400 lbs. wearing leggings and a tube top, so, no harm done.

  7. walter barry Reply
    January 6, 2026 at 6:16 pm

    Lots of tattoos, no surprise he’s scum.

  8. Todd S Reply
    January 7, 2026 at 12:37 am

    I would drop to my knees and thank Jesus if a guy sat next to me in underwear. Heck, not even good looking but a guy in undies. woof!!! Would make that long flight go by quickly!!!!! Sign me up please!!!

  9. James Harper Reply
    January 7, 2026 at 8:09 am

    This is bizarre but then in the US of today, led by Criminal Trump, surely the bizarre is the new normal? I mean, it’s not like he invaded a sovereign country is it or threatened to do the same to a few more?

  10. No Reply
    January 7, 2026 at 1:51 pm

    But women have to cover up when wearing crop tops or showing cleavage . Ok…

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