Spirit Airlines enforces passenger dress code regulations

The American carrier Spirit Airlines introduced new rules concerning the appearance of passengers. As of 22 January 2025, individuals with controversial tattoos or overly daring attire may not be allowed to board the plane. "The safety and well-being of our passengers are our priority," reads the airline's statement.

According to the new terms of carriage, Spirit Airlines passengers may be turned away from boarding or not admitted at all if they do not meet the appearance and behaviour requirements specified in the regulations.

Onboard, there is a ban on walking barefoot or in "insufficiently appropriate" attire. The new regulations specify that transparent clothing, exposed breasts, buttocks, or other intimate parts of the body may be grounds for being asked to leave the plane.

Many people consider one of the most controversial aspects to be the ban on tattoos deemed "obscene" or "offensive". Critics argue that what is considered offensive can be subjective and lead to unnecessary disputes. Spirit Airlines has not clearly defined the criteria for evaluating tattoos.

The changes in the regulations arose after an incident in October 2024, where passengers Tara Kehidi and Teresa Araujo were removed from a flight from Los Angeles to New Orleans. The women were asked to leave the plane due to wearing overly short tops that exposed their stomachs and parts of their backs. The incident sparked a wave of criticism on social media, where users accused Spirit Airlines of intolerance and discrimination.

The introduction of new rules may surprise many travellers, so it is worth carefully considering your attire before flying with these airlines. Non-compliance with the regulations can result in unpleasant consequences.

It is worth noting that Spirit Airlines is not the only airline that has implemented regulations with strictly specified rules. Similar rules apply, for example, at Southwest Airlines or Delta Air Lines.