This is why you should never remove your shoes while flying.

Taking your shoes off on a flight may be harmful to your health – here's how.

Wince the flight attendants, when they witness passengers roaming about barefoot on the plane.

Air travelers are aware of the several changes that occur in your body when flying in an airplane.  Your ears pop, your taste changes, and it may be difficult to put your shoes back on after a trip.

There are several solutions to the last issue, but the best approach may just be to keep your shoes on the whole time. The rationale is less about compression and more about avoiding potentially unpleasant circumstances.

When flying for a long period of time, airlines typically provide socks to passengers in first, business, and economy comfort class in order to help them relax. Walking about the aircraft in your bare feet is not recommended for reasons of health and safety.

🛒 Shop the perfect socks to match your shoes on your next trip. 

Typically, aircraft cabins are unclean. Cabins are cleaned before every trip, although that will be more perfunctory on a short turn when there are just 15 or 20 minutes to get it done.

That implies cabin cleaning might be as simple as removing rubbish from seatback pockets and swiftly washing down high-touch areas like bathroom doorknobs. Planes are cleaned thoroughly regularly, however this is not always the case. The frequency varies per airline, but extensive cleanings are usually done every four to six weeks.

Aside from such major cleans, carpets are often just vacuumed if time permits, and spot cleaned as needed. When anything is spilled, the cleaning staff will remove the stain but will not necessarily disinfect the whole area where germs may spread.

Worse, what about the liquids on the toilet floor? Flight attendants are not always compelled to clean them up in the middle of the flight, which means you might be walking in pee.

And while we're on the subject of germs, the tray tables and armrests are filthy. Tray tables are often the germiest surface on an airplane, so use those alcohol wipes to sanitize your area once you board. Don't put your bare feet up on them, albeit no passenger should ever do so out of respect for others.

Also, removing your shoes while flying might pose a safety risk. During takeoff and landing, keep your shoes on. In the case of an evacuation, shoes in the aisle may be a safety issue.

Keep your shoes on on a plane journey, even though it's tempting to take them off and relax. There are no etiquette regulations stating that you cannot remove your shoes while flying, but! 😉