TravelerMSY

I dress up for fancy international F from time to time. It's not a burden.

This has probably been debated a zillion times on here, but I've found that generally people treat you better if you're wearing a suit than when you're wearing casual clothing.

travelinmanS

A passenger wearing a suit is much better than the passengers who immediately upon boarding change into sloppy looking pajamas. Based upon my unscientific survey, 90% of those that bring their own PJ's on board are overweight, also wear tennis shoes and snore very loudly. 95% hail from one country.

When the flight attendant takes your jacket upon boarding you're no longer wearing a suit and can be very comfy in a nice shirt and slacks.

tylerf

What you wear gives people the first impression of who you are. So if you meet a good contact in biz class, you don't want to get to know them in your kangaroos pajamas, do ya?

=)

acunningham

I take around 20 business class flights per year. The last time I wore a suit for any purpose was, if I remember correctly, my brother's wedding in 2006. I don't even know if my suit fits me any more.

Forrest Bump

Always, tie included.
Appropriated in lounge and as defense from the freezing inflight temperature.
Not to mention the convenience of all those jacket pockets for BPs, ID, mobile, candies..
Exception to the rule is flying for vacation.
A smart casual, without tie, makes me feel fine.

durberville

In Y, J, or F, I am always flying in the exact same outfit: baggy sweatpants, big fuzzy wool socks, and a baggy university sweater. Yeah, I look like crap, especially when I'm in a drunken stupor from too much champagne, but I'm super-duper comfortable. The most fun is had when I'm boarding first and the GA or other passengers freak out, thinking I don't fit in, and I give them the Deltalina finger wave and walk past

gobluetwo

Corporate culture, client expectations, formal events, job interviews, justin timberlake's new single has a profound impact on you...

The client I'm visiting influences what I wear. When I'm in NYC visiting a financial services client, I am ALWAYS in a suit because THEY are. When I'm in SF visiting a tech client, I'm generally much less formal (slacks and a shirt). When I was working with a clothing brand, they let us wear jeans, as long as it was their brand.

pooker

In my defense, I am not overweight, and the pajamas were not sloppy.

represent the kangaroooooooo

planes&trains

Easy -- not all suits are the same weight. All-season suits are lighter and often only partially lined (of course, partial lining increases price). So, doable. Also, contrary to what some may assume, wool actually breathes better.

planes&trains

Ouch.

zorn

If you are going away for one or two days on business, you can wear the suit and pack a few socks and whatever undergarments you prefer and and some shirts you're good to go.

I've gone to Europe a number of times with nothing more than a laptop bag. Toronto to LHR overnight, LHR to wherever first thing in the morning, perhaps a day at destination if not the meeting that day itself, back to LHR, and back to Toronto on the last flight of the evening. Suit to wear, computer, socks, underwear, shirt, small toiletries, done. Not even a roll-a-board to drag around.

greathustle

This. When I'm on site at a hospital or a financial services client, it's a good bet I'm in a suit and tie. Most other times just slacks and a shirt, and maybe a sport coat if it's cold. And depending on flight and meeting times, I may be wearing my work outfit on the plane coming or going, or I might have had a chance to change into jeans.

Time traveller

On a short flight (<3 hrs) before or after a business meeting, I can see people wearing a suit. And I have done that in the past, although I will try to change into something more casual/comfortable at the airport lounge if I have time.

On a long-haul international flight, especially an overnight flight, I will change into pajamas as soon as I board or after the meal service, depending on the length of the flight. If it is a long flight (10+ hours) and I am not looking to go to sleep any time soon, I will change to PJs later on. On a shorter flight (<8 hrs) where I want to maximize my sleep, I will change into PJs soon after boarding. I pack my suits in my suitcase, rather than wear them on long-haul international flights.

brendog

Unless I'm going directly to or coming directly from a meeting, I'm definitely not wearing a suit. I would likely be wearing my normal chinos, button-down, and sport coat. In the summer, I may actually deign to wear shorts, but will still have a button-down and loafers. I wouldn't be caught dead in public in jeans or sweatpants.

FlyingHoustonian

I do, quite often. My suits are tailored nicely and comfortable. I often take the jacket/coat off but my pants and shirts are all very comfy, otherwise I wouldn't wear them!

I'v worn them in coach, and often wear a tie, even on non-biz trips, especially in Italy, but I am probably more "formal" than most today.