United Airlines bars teenage girls in leggings from flight causing furor(Update 1)


"The passengers this morning were United pass riders who were not in compliance with our dress code policy for company benefit travel," the airline said on Twitter as the incident went viral on social media causing a furor.

At least two girls wearing leggings were barred from boarding a United Airlines flight on Sunday because they did not meet a dress code for special pass travelers, the company said in a statement on Twitter amid a social media furor.

According to a series of tweets by another traveler, Shannon Watts, the girls were required to change or put dresses on over their leggings before they were allowed to board their flight from Denver to Minneapolis.

"The passengers this morning were United pass riders who were not in compliance with our dress code policy for company benefit travel," the airline said on Twitter as the incident went viral on social media.

In another tweet made in response to a question from a social media user, the airline said: "Casual attire for ticketed passengers is fine. The passenger today was a United pass traveler and follow different guidelines."

United pass travelers are typically company employees or family members of employees.

The policy and United's defense of it on social media touched a raw nerve for many women and girls who have made leggings a staple in their wardrobes. The popularity of leggings has sparked criticism that they are inappropriate attire in certain circumstances and some schools have barred girls from wearing them to class.

Social media lit up with outrage against the policy and the airline for its response to the initial outcry. Celebrities chimed in with humorous protests.

"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 top," model Chrissy Teigen tweeted.

United, the No. 3 U.S. airline by passenger traffic, did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment.

Watts, the passenger who initially reported the dispute on Twitter, described one of the barred passengers as a 10-year-old girl wearing gray leggings.

Watts said the girls were allowed to board their flight after changing or putting dresses over their leggings.

"This behavior is sexist and sexualizes young girls," Watts said on Twitter. "Not to mention that the families were mortified and inconvenienced." - Reuters

Subscribe or renew your subscriptions to win prizes worth up to RM68,000!

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

United , Airlines , leggings , dress , code , compliance , tweet , twitter , gun , control , stocks , shares ,

   

Next In Business News

Ananda Krishnan a key figure in developing Malaysian media, telco and entertainment industries
Bank Negara urges insurers, takaful operators to review repricing strategies
Capital A delivers net profit of RM1.64bil in 3Q on forex gains, demand recovery
Genting maintains positive outlook on tourism, gaming market
EcoWorld's unit issues RM300mil sukuk wakalah
Ringgit ends flat in quiet trading ahead of US Thanksgiving holiday
Oil flat after US gasoline stocks build and delay to Opec+ meeting
TNB's net profit soars 85% to RM1.58bil in 3Q
PPB's 3Q net profit falls to RM208.12mil
Exsim Hospitality's hospitality operator business ushers in new revenue

Others Also Read