Airplane Pants

You’ll never catch us in leggings or a sweatsuit on a plane, but we still want to feel comfortable, and the right airplane pant hits the sweet spot of ease and polish. After years of road testing we still swear they are the best pants to wear in transit—with forgiving waistbands, just enough stretch, and a slight flare that takes them out of legging territory. They look elegant without feeling overly restricting, plus they can hold their shape through long flights, don’t wrinkle beyond recognition, and crucially, take you from seat 43J to whatever’s next on the itinerary, with no outfit change required. We did a similar roundup of kick flares almost two years ago, but we have so many new favorites we wanted to update our list! These are the kick flares we’d reach for, plus some adjacent silhouettes that earned a spot, at a handful of price points. 

Ann Mashburn Lara Pant – After trying the cult-favorite High Sport Kick Pants, Yolanda still swears by this more wallet-friendly alternative from Ann Mashburn. They have the same flattering, slightly cropped kick flare and pull-on fit in a nearly indistinguishable fabric, which have earned the spot as her go-to airplane pants no matter how long the flight.

La Ligne Yvonne Pant – With back pockets, subtle ankle slits, and a true waistband (not elastic!), these read more like a classic dress trouser. 

La Ligne Gaia Trouser – Made from the same crepe as La Ligne’s famous Colby Pant, the Gaia leans more tailored, with a fluid drape that feels a cut above your average knit pant. 

Ayr Brava Pant – An Italian ponte knit with just the right amount of structure, the Brava Pant comes in three inseam lengths so you can get the crop exactly right.

Veronica Beard Kick Flare Pant – We love the brown and blue gingham seersucker take on the kick flare, a great pick for summer!

Leset Rio High WaistFlare Pant – Made from Leset’s signature stretch ponte, these have a nice drape that hugs the leg without clinging.  

Leset Rio Cigarette Pant – For a straighter silhouette, this version delivers the same soft stretch fabric in a classic cigarette cut. The elastic waistband and front pleats make it feel tailored enough to pull off for a meeting straight from the plane.

Spanx Ponte Kick Flare – No zippers, no buttons, just an easy pull-on fit with Spanx’s signature light compression. 

Gap Double Knit Crop Kick – Made from a rayon blend that’s more wrinkle-resistant than your standard cotton knit, this affordable option will hold its shape through a long day of travel.  

Banana Republic Bootcut Ponte Pull On – A slightly longer, boot-cut silhouette with a streamlined pull-on waistband.

M.M. Lafleur Kick Flare – A take on their equally popular Cigarette Pant, this version swaps the slim leg for a slight kick at the hem to give you a bit more room to move.