Occasions and ordering · 8 October 2026 · 3 min read

What to wear on a long-haul flight

What to wear on a long-haul flight: a knee-length kurta, trousers with a soft waistband, a shawl for cabin cold and pockets for documents, all comfortable to sit in.

Inspiration

One outfit built for sitting still

For a long-haul flight, wear trousers with a soft elasticated or drawstring waist, a knee-length kurta with side slits, a large shawl or cardigan for the cold cabin, and shoes you can loosen. Add pockets if you can, so your passport and phone stay on you. Everything else is detail.

This is a different question from which fabrics pack well in a suitcase, which our guide to travel-friendly kurtas answers. Here the problem is one outfit worn for twelve hours or more, mostly in a seat.

From the waist down

The waistband matters most. A fixed waist that is comfortable standing up can dig in after a few hours of sitting, especially after a meal. Elastic, a drawstring, or a mix of both gives way as you need it.

Leg shape matters too. Very wide palazzos and floor-length shararas drag on aisle and washroom floors and catch on seat frames. Close churidar legs feel tight by the end of a flight. A straight trouser or a moderate shalwar, ending at the ankle, is the easy middle. If you order trousers made to measure, our trouser measuring guide shows where the waist and length are taken.

The kurta: length, slits and sleeves

A knee-length kurta covers you when you stand, reach into the overhead locker or curl up, but it is not so long that you sit on a heap of fabric. Side slits let it fall either side of your legs rather than bunching across your lap; ask for them a little higher than usual if you want more room. Our page on side slits explains the options.

Long or three-quarter sleeves are warmer under blowing air vents. Choose a soft cotton or a cotton blend in a print or mid tone: prints hide creases and the odd coffee drip far better than pale plain cloth. Leave raised embroidery and stiff trims for arrival day, because they press into you when you lean against the headrest.

Layers for a cabin that changes temperature

Cabins are often warm at boarding and cool during the night. Layers you can add and remove without standing up are more useful than one thick garment.

A large shawl: a dupatta, a stole or a light wool shawl works as a blanket, a head cover and a pillow.
A cardigan or open jacket: easy to take off in a seat, unlike anything pulled over the head.
Socks: a spare pair in your bag for the second half of the flight.
Shoes you can loosen: many travellers find shoes feel tighter after hours of sitting, so slip-ons or adjustable straps are kinder than snug pumps.

Pockets, and what to ask for in a made-to-measure travel set

Most kurtas have no pockets, which is why passports end up in a bag under the seat in front. A pocket in the side seam of the kurta or trousers keeps your documents and phone on you during boarding and transfers. Pockets are not a standard choice on our quote form, so describe them or send a photo and we confirm what is possible on your fabric and design.

You can send your own design for a travel set or start a quote from a photo. Making takes 5 to 7 working days after approval and full payment, plus shipping, so order well before your travel date.

Kameez length: knee, with side slits.
Sleeves: three-quarter or full length.
Trousers: straight or shalwar, with an elasticated or drawstring waist.
Embroidery level: none or delicate, so nothing scratches.
Pockets: in the side seams, described in your notes.

Common questions

Is a shalwar kameez comfortable on a plane?

Yes, it is one of the more comfortable things to fly in, as long as the trousers have a soft waist and the kameez is loose enough to sit in. Many people travelling between Pakistan and the rest of the world fly in exactly that.

Will a kurta crease badly on a long flight?

Plain pale cotton shows every crease after a night in a seat. A printed or textured cotton, or a blend with a little synthetic fibre, looks far fresher when you land.

Should I change before landing?

If you are going straight to a family gathering, pack a fresh kameez in your hand luggage and change shortly before landing. Keep the same trousers and shawl, so the swap takes only a few minutes in a small washroom.

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