Bare feet, obscene t-shirts and body art: Watch out for these dress code violations on flights

An airline in the United States has recently made headlines for introducing a series of regulations for passengers’ clothing. 

Spirit Airlines says it has had to enforce the stricter dress code after incidents involving inappropriate outfits. 

The rules include stopping passengers from boarding if they are barefoot or wearing clothing with swear words.

Some carriers have similar policies detailed on their websites. Others don’t have specific guidelines but gate and cabin crew are told to look out for certain unacceptable attire. 

US airline enforces stricter passenger dress code

In January, Spirit Airlines updated its ‘Contract of Carriage’ to prohibit certain items of clothing, ways of dressing and types of body arka. 

The regulations now state that passengers will not be able to board if they are “barefoot” or are “inadequately clothed” – defined as “see-through clothing; not adequately covered; exposed breasts, buttocks, or other private parts”. 

They also warn against passengers “whose clothing or article, including body arka, is lewd, obscene, or offensive in nature or has an offensive odour unless caused by a qualified disability.” 

The airline reportedly brought in the stricter measures after one passenger attempted to board wearing a crop top while another was dressed in a t-shirt with an obscene slogan.

Other carriers in the US also have dress codes. A policy from United Airlines states that passengers can be turned away if they are “barefoot, not properly clothed, or whose clothing is lewd, obscene or offensive.” 

Delta Air Lines warns that passengers can be removed when barefoot or “when the passenger’s conduct, attire, hygiene or odour creates an unreasonable risk of offence or annoyance to other passengers.” 

European airlines can refuse passengers wearing inappropriate clothing

Although not explicitly stated on websites, European carriers also enforce dress codes. 

Last year, a member of cabin crew for one European airline told UK newspaper The Sun: “We’re well within our rights to prevent people getting on the flight and it’s used frequently for people who aren’t dressed in a way we would deem to be acceptable.”

They reportedly cautioned Jet2, Ryanair, TUI and Easyjet customers in particular, adding: “There are some obvious examples here, including t-shirts with swear words or offensive logos on them, which people are regularly asked to cover up, or remove, before they get on board.”