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This morning, it was reported two female passengers – one of them a child – were prevented from boarding a United Airlines flight in Denver in Colorado to Minneapolis because they were wearing leggings. According to the airline, the decision was made based on appropriateness and as the passengers were “pass travellers” (meaning they are employees of the airline or family members and fly at a discounted rate) they have to adhere to a specific dress code.
“The passengers this morning were United pass riders who were not in compliance with our dress code policy for company benefit travel,” a United representative told US Weekly. In the case of the 10-year-old girl, United may find it difficult to explain why leggings with probably flowers printed on them should be deemed inappropriate and many media outlets are calling the decision sexist.
But it’s celebrities who have been responsible for giving the airline the most heat. Taking to twitter, Chrissy Teigen remarked “I have flown United before with literally no pants on. Just a top as a dress. Next time I will wear only jeans and a scarf. Patricia Arquette took a more direct approach tweeting the airline directly and asking for answers. “Why aren’t you allowing girls to wear leggings on flights? Who is your gate agent policing girls clothing?”
United replied with a simple “the attire of the pass traveller did not meet our rules”. But Arquette wasn’t having it. “Do you understand you have just made at least half your customers unhappy?” she replied before suggesting the airline needs to urgently updates it’s policy. Take a look at the exchanges below.
I have flown united before with literally no pants on. Just a top as a dress. Next time I will wear only jeans and a scarf.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) March 26, 2017
@united Why aren’t you allowing girls to wear leggings on flights? Who is your gate agent policing girls clothing?
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) March 26, 2017
@PattyArquette The attire of the pass traveler did not meet our rules. ^FS (2/2)
— United (@united) March 26, 2017
@PattyArquette United employees or their eligible dependents standing by on a space-available basis. Pass riders are prioritized last, (1/2)
— United (@united) March 26, 2017
Turns out United bans leggings, torn jeans, and shorter shorts for free employee pass tickets. Still @united should update policy.
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) March 26, 2017
