Los Angeles ABC affiliate KABC reports Tara Kehidi and Teresa Araujo are accusing the airline of improperly removing them for wearing crop tops.
Spirit Rules Allow Removal of “Inadequately Clothed” Flyers
The two women were flying from Los Angeles to New Orleans on Friday, October 4, 2024, to celebrate Araujo’s birthday. They say because there was no air conditioning on the flight, they removed their sweaters to reveal the crop top shirts they were wearing underneath. When that happened, they allege a male flight attendant came up to them demanding they “put something on.”
“We were wearing crop tops… just like a little bit of stomach showing,” Kehidi told KABC. “He’s telling both of us (to) put our sweaters on. And then we’re like ‘oh, can we see a dress code? Like, is there a policy that says we can’t wear crop tops on the plane?”
A third woman came to their defense, revealing to the flight crew that she was also wearing a crop top and accusing them of discriminating against the two women. Ultimately, all three were asked to leave the aircraft. Kehidi and Araujo say they did offer to put their sweaters back on after the decision was made, but the crew told them it was too late to go back.
As a result, the two women decided to spend over $1,000 to book a flight aboard Delta Air Lines to continue their travel. The third woman told KCAL News that she spent $900 to rebook herself and her toddler with another carrier.
In a statement to KABC, Spirit said their Contract of Carriage “includes certain clothing standards for all guests traveling with us.” The section of the contract in question states flyers may not be allowed to board if they are “inadequately clothed…[their] clothing is lewd, obscene or offensive in nature.” The airline said they are investigating the situation and are “in contact” with all three about the experience. It is unclear if the airline has offered the flyers a refund over the incident.
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Source: frugal travel guy