A woman freaked out after reading airline fine print and claimed Spirit and Delta can boot you with no refund for wearing crop tops, flip-flops, or pajamas. And online commenters freaked out, and of course split between ‘people are just trying to be comfortable’ and ‘people are gross’.
Of course, the actual policies are broader and vaguer than her rant. Spirit updated its Contract of Carriage last year to spell out “barefoot or inadequately clothed” (including see-through, exposed breasts, buttocks, or other private parts) and lewd, obscene or offensive clothing or body art, with enforcement at staff discretion.
Dressing that way, though, is almost a requirement for Spirit Airlines passengers. So perhaps they hoped to avoid a second bankruptcy by denying boarding to everyone and keeping their fare?
@mayaslife.04 Like are we in middle school? #fyp #airport #flying #trips #dresscode ♬ original sound – Maya Isabelle
@mayaslife.04 Replying to @Coloblonde just my opinion! #flying #airlines #fyp #dresscode ♬ original sound – Maya Isabelle
She says Delta and Spirit will kick you off with no refund if you have a crop top or are wearing flip-flops. She adds that they “don’t want” pajamas or sweats, and jokes airlines shouldn’t police outfits in a “tin can in the sky.” She does acknowledge, though, that passengers shouldn’t be subjected to smelling each others’ feet.
She insists that for a 6-hour flight she’s wearing sweats/pajamas. Paging Sean Duffy! A couple of takes do seem reasonable here, even if we’re a long way from when my mother used to make me dress up to fly cross-country as an unaccompanied minor (over 40 years ago!).
- If you want high class, deliver a high-class product. Seats are too small to not be comfortable. But often first class passengers behave just as badly (and Spirit offers first class now, too!)
- Flip flops are a problem because you shouldn’t inflict a man’s toes on someone else, feet can smell, and people take them off to go to the lavatory. RFK, Jr. does!
DISGUSTING!! What sort of person walks BAREFOOT down a plane aisle — in first class, no less. Even worse, it was on his way to the toilet!
RFK Jr is a really strange dude. pic.twitter.com/tQXdYUtGfz
— Jon Cooper (@joncoopertweets) November 13, 2023
Here’s what Spirit’s Contract of Carriage actually says, though. A passenger may be refused or removed if they are “barefoot or inadequately clothed.” As for Delta, “barefoot” is a specific example where they may refuse transportion or remove a passenger. Leave your shoes on!
Delta threatened to kick off a braless passenger and removed a veteran over an ‘End Veteran Suicide’ shirt, forcing her to strip and booting her out of extra-legroom Comfort+ seating.
Meanwhile, a woman and her sister whose shorts were too trashy for Spirit got kicked off in Miami.
American Airlines actually wouldn’t let a two-time cancer survivor wear her ‘F-cancer’ hoodie though later apologized, saying the employee was wrong. But another passenger wasn’t allowed to wear ‘F-12’ (anti-police message) which just underscores how much discretion and how little guidance is given. American also told a former Miss Universe to cover up if she wanted to fly. She was wearing clothing less revealing than others on the same flight.
What is wrong with people these days. Can’t everyone dress business casual for airplanes, or possibly business attire for higher classes of service? People who dress with rude slogans on their t-shirts or hats, or expose their body should be kicked off and banned.
Am I supposed to have moral outrage over the fact that airlines done want passengers dressing like skanks on the plane?
Grow up my little snowflake. Everything is not all about you. There are social norms whether your entitled ass likes it or not.
I wish more airlines would be more assertive in enforcing community standards.
I do get tired to people dressing like trash on a plane. PJs may be the rage, but you look stupid wearing them on a plane. Except for the long flights where it is the norm.
The “look at me” crowd with the low cut tops, thongs showing and guys with jeans falling off their a** are all inconsiderate of others.
Lastly shoes, if your plane has to ground evacuate or worse flip flops or candles aren’t going to protect your feet. Then you will be trying to sue someone for your stupidity.
Dress for the occasion or stay home.
@Raphael Solomon – Dress “business casual” on airplanes? Huh? This isn’t the 60s dude. First of all I am old enough (67) and been traveling extensively since the mid-80s to remember when it was normal to see almost everyone in the first class cabin in suits (mainly because heading to a business meeting, not due to dress code).
I agree with not wearing offensive t shirts or clothing that exposes various body parts but I have no problem dressing comfortably for a flight. If I’m in domestic first it is jeans or shorts (depending on time of year) and on international business class usually joggers or sweats since I want to be comfortable on long haul flights. If you look at the people boarding in first or business on leading international carriers the vast majority are dressed casually. You can “want” all you desire and feel free to dress however you want but don’t go trying to impose your ridiculous standard in 2026 on others.
Pajamas. Seriously?
@RetiredGambler. You sound like a lot of fun. Hope I never wind up beside you on a flight
@RetiredGambler. good thing you are retired.
Flip flops are for the beach PERIOD
Pjs are for your bedroom PERIOD
Skank wear is for Playboy PERIOD.
if you do not like it THEN DO NOT FLY
Why is it most of the time women who have to dress the part of TRASH and then say they are not treated the same as a man?
Can a 50 yr old pot belly guy get on the plane in wife beater and speedo?
Can a 30 yr old guy get on a the plane with a T shirt that says “women are house wife’s and baby makers, keep them barefoot at home out of the office”
There is no reason there should be any rules that are stricter about dress than you’d find anywhere where people are together for a while – stadiums, movie theaters, buses, malls. The days are long past when airplanes were romanticized as smoke-filled elegant transportation for the rich. Dress for comfort. If someone doesn’t like it, they can look the other way.
Flip-flops are a safety hazard. They slow people down when walking in the airport, are dangerous to navigate escalators, and could slow an evacuation in an emergency.