No. 'Flying naked' does not mean taking off your clothes at the airport or boarding a plane nude! It’s actually a travel trend that’s been gaining popularity on social media, where people pack light and keep things simple. It’s about travelling just with the bare essentials. In other words, it’s all about leaving the luggage behind, but definitely not your clothes.
What is flying naked?
Flying naked is a minimalist travel concept focused on packing as lightly as possible. The idea is to carry only what you really need for your trip and ditch everything else behind, so that everything fits into a small carry-on or even just a personal item—a small bag like a backpack, purse, or laptop bag that fits under the seat in front of you. With flying naked, one can forget about the hassle of checking in large bags, waiting at baggage claim, or paying hefty fees for extra luggage. It’s ultimately a way to travel lighter, faster, and stress-free.
This minimalist travel trend has evolved into three separate categories, each catering to a different kind of traveller. Let’s break them down.
Totally bare
The “totally bare” approach is the purest form of flying naked. Travellers adopting this method bring only the absolute essentials—think phone, charger, wallet, maybe a pair of sunglasses. The idea is to carry as little as possible and let go of anything that isn’t a must-have. No extra clothes, no toiletries, just what you need to get through the journey, which makes it a perfect fit for short trips or those who want to avoid the stress of carrying anything more than the bare minimum.
Pocket people
This approach is for those who can’t bear to leave everything behind. In essence, “pocket people” make the most of their pockets during the trip. This group fills up every available space on their person with extra things they might need—snacks, travel-sized toiletries, maybe even a small notebook or a first-aid kit. They are all about carrying necessities within arm’s reach, using jackets, vests, or cargo pants to stash extra items. This type of traveller is always prepared but still avoids the bulk of traditional luggage.
Delivery crew
If you’re looking for a way to travel light but still want to have all your belongings with you, the “delivery crew” option might be for you. This involves shipping your luggage ahead to your destination, so you can skip the struggle of checking in bags and avoid the weight of carrying anything extra. While it might add a bit of planning ahead and can add some cost, this approach allows you to travel with just a carry-on, knowing that your larger bags will be waiting for you when you arrive. It’s a great solution for those who want the benefits of travelling light but don’t want to part with their things.
A mixed bag of opinions
The internet is buzzing with reactions to the “flying naked” trend, with a Fox News report highlighting some of them, and as expected, opinions are all over the place.
One TikTok user shared a video of themselves casually strolling through an airport without any bags, captioning it, “Getting on a plane with no carry-on bags is the weirdest feeling. It's like you're just hopping on the local bus and a little while later you [are] off in a completely different city.”
Another traveller posted a similar clip, saying, “Woke up and decided to get on a flight with no checked bag or carry on, just vibes.”
But not everyone is sold on the idea. According to the same report, a TikTok user said in a video, “I don't get how come people are on the JFK AirTrain with no bags. Travelling [with] no inventory is insane to me.”
While the concept thrills many, it’s not without its challenges. Some travellers end up buying clothes at their destination, which might be exciting at first but can lead to the headache of figuring out how to get those items back home—whether by shipping them or stuffing them into a newly purchased bag. Others simply deal with the bare minimum, sticking to essentials during their trip.
Love it or hate it, flying naked is definitely sparking conversations, with people either embracing the idea of luggage-free travel or questioning its practicality. And, it’ll be interesting to see how many travellers decide to give it a shot.
