THEY'RE the obvious choice of clothing for millions of female holidaymakers, but next time you're heading on a break, you should think twice about wearing leggings for your flight.
According to one aviation expert, they are one of the most dangerous things a passenger could wear if an emergency occurs onboard.
Christine Negroni, who released a book on the world’s most mysterious air disasters, revealed that leggings could prove fatal – or at the very least leave terrible scars – if the plane you are travelling on crashes or has a fire in the cabin.
She told Sun Online Travel: "You might have to escape through a cabin fire or there could be a separate fire on the ground once you leave the aircraft.
"Everyone is wearing yoga pants on planes now, but I avoid all artificial fibres because they are more likely to burn and stick to you if there is a fire.
"I’d advise wearing cotton clothes or anything made of natural fibres."
That isn't the only thing she says to avoid doing on a flight during a crash – as she urges travellers to stop taking their shoes off during a flight.
She added: "One of the best things people can do is put their shoes on for take-off and landing. This is still not required by many airlines and I think it ought to be.
"If you escape an aircraft, the floor could be very hot or cold, it might be covered in oil or on fire, or in a cornfield – you won’t want to be barefoot.
"Mainly err on the side of caution. Pick sneakers over high heels, pick natural fibres over synthetic, and take tight-fitting clothes over loose-fitting."
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Flips flops are a no-no for this reason, with the choice being sturdy trainers, while cotton jeans offer more protection then other trousers.
It also helps to be extra prepared during key moments on a plane journey, as a study has found that most fatal plane crashes take place during take-off and landing, meaning passengers should be the most prepared during these moments.
Dave Inch, a captain of a Boeing 787 – planes used by the likes of American Airlines and Air Canada – has shared his advice for what to do if a plane is going down.
Speaking on Quora, he suggested always removing sharp objects from your pockets in case of a crash, as this can cause problems too.
Revealing his top tips for survival, he said: "Remove everything sharp from your pockets, loosen your belt and remove your tie or scarf and remove high heeled shoes.
"Take glasses off for landing so they don't fly off and are available to help you see your way out if you need them.
"Know where your closest exit is and a backup for the type of landing [as] some exits can't be used in water landings."
Meanwhile, if you're looking for a more comfortable flight in First Class, it's best to avoid jeans or trainers.
One flight attendant told Who, What, Wear, according to Travel + Leisure: "Smart but understated. You should look like you travel often…it helps.
"Someone who is potentially due to get an upgrade can be knocked back if they aren't dressed suitably."
Another flight attendant added: "No jeans or trainers — so I always go for tight black trousers and a blazer or a dress. For men, chinos or trousers and a shirt are worn."
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