At a Glance
- Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy insists travelers wear proper attire to improve behavior.
- He proposes mini gyms in airports for quick workouts before flights.
- Duffy’s remarks came during a News Nation Now appearance on Jan. 22 and echo his earlier 2025 travel-guideline talks.
**Why it matters: The president of the U.S. Department of Transportation is shaping the culture of air travel, urging passengers to dress up and exercise before boarding.
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The president of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, reiterated his stance that passengers should avoid pajamas and slippers at airports. Speaking on News Nation Now’s Katie Pavlich Tonight on Jan. 22, he argued that better attire would lead to better behavior. Duffy added that tighter airline seats and lower prices are already in place, but a modest dress code could further improve the travel experience.
What Duffy Said About Airport Attire
“I can’t mandate you dress up, but don’t wear pajamas and slippers to the airport. I think if you dress a little better, you behave a little better,” Duffy told the program. He emphasized that a more polished appearance could help keep the skies calm, especially during peak travel periods.
During a November 2025 briefing, Duffy again encouraged travelers to treat airport workers and flight crews with respect. “A little gratitude goes a long way,” he said. “If we all do that, I think we’re going to have a far better travel season.” The comments were part of the Department’s “Golden Age of Travel” campaign, which aims to inspire civility amid a surge in unruly passengers.
Mini Gyms at Airports
Duffy also floated the idea of adding workout spaces to airports. “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,” he mused. He clarified that the goal is not to sweat on the flight, but to burn a little energy beforehand.
The proposal was first mentioned during a December 2025 news conference for the “Make Travel Family Friendly Again” initiative. Duffy suggested that a small exercise area could help travelers stay active and reduce travel-related stress.
Pull-Up Contest with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
In a playful demonstration, Duffy participated in a pull-up contest with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The contest took place during the same December 2025 press event. Kennedy, 72, completed 20 reps, while Duffy managed 10 pull-ups.
| Participant | Reps |
|---|---|
| Robert F. Kennedy Jr. | 20 |
| Sean Duffy | 10 |
Kennedy’s participation highlighted the push for healthier travel habits, while Duffy’s effort underscored his commitment to the mini-gym concept.
Travel Campaigns and Initiatives
Duffy’s comments tie into broader efforts to improve the travel experience. The “Golden Age of Travel” campaign, launched in November 2025, seeks to:
- Inspire a return to civility among passengers.
- Address the record surge in unruly travelers.
- Encourage respectful interactions with airport staff.
The “Make Travel Family Friendly Again” initiative, introduced in December 2025, focuses on making airports more welcoming for families. Duffy’s push for mini gyms aligns with this goal by offering a quick way to stay active before flights.
Takeaways
- Dress Code: Duffy insists that wearing pajamas or slippers at airports is inappropriate and could worsen passenger behavior.
- Mini Gyms: The proposed workout spaces aim to give travelers a chance to exercise briefly, potentially reducing in-flight fatigue.
- Civic Engagement: The Department’s campaigns stress gratitude, respect, and civility as key to a smoother travel season.
- Public Demonstration: The pull-up contest with Secretary Kennedy serves as a public endorsement of healthier travel habits.
The Department of Transportation’s initiatives reflect a growing focus on passenger conduct and wellness. Whether the proposed dress code and mini-gyms gain traction remains to be seen, but Duffy’s remarks signal a clear direction for the future of air travel.
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