Airport Jests at Pajama Ban, Clarifies It's a Joke

• Tampa Airport jokingly announced a pajama ban on X, sparking online debate.
• The post gained over 5.7 million views, part of the airport’s playful social media.
• Airport officials clarified it's a joke, encouraging comfortable travel attire.

Tampa International Airport announced via social media on Thursday its intention to ban pajamas from the facility, though the statement was not meant to be

taken seriously. The post, shared on the airport's official X account, suggested that after going 'Crocs-free,' the airport had 'seen enough' of pajamas, prompting discussions about airport attire.

Social Media Reaction

The post garnered significant attention, receiving over 5.7 million views by mid-afternoon Eastern time and sparking debate among users regarding appropriate airport fashion.

Airport's Social Media Persona

Beau Zimmer, a spokesperson for the airport, explained to The Associated Press that the post aligns with the airport's playful social media presence, which has developed a loyal following since its early days on Twitter, now rebranded as X.

Zimmer stated, 'Our regular social media followers just eat this stuff up. But obviously this is all in fun, and we encourage our travelers to be comfortable.'

Official Clarification

In a follow-up statement, the airport clarified that the pajama ban was intended as a joke, describing it as a playful nod to ongoing discussions about travel fashion.

The statement read, 'We encourage our passengers to travel comfortably and appreciate our loyal followers who enjoy the online humor.'

Broader Context of Travel Attire

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy responded to the airport's post with a GIF from the TV show 'The Office,' expressing approval. Duffy has been advocating for more formal attire among passengers as part of a civility campaign initiated last November.

The campaign, titled 'the Golden Age of Travel Starts with You,' aims to foster a national conversation about restoring courtesy and class to air travel.

The Evolution of Airport Humor

Zimmer mentioned that the airport's humorous approach to social media has been in place for over a decade, starting with light-hearted posts by an intern that poked fun at rival sports teams.

He noted that this strategy has resonated well with the public, exemplified by a recent post referencing a local sports event that was well-received.