Spirit Airlines is facing criticism after two Southern California women were removed from a flight due to their attire. The women, Tara Kehidi and Teresa Araujo, claim they were asked to leave the plane because they were wearing crop tops, sparking debates about Spirit's dress code policies and how they are enforced.
The incident occurred on a Spirit Airlines flight from Los Angeles to New Orleans. Initially, the women boarded the plane wearing sweaters, which they removed once inside the aircraft due to the lack of air conditioning. Underneath, they wore crop tops that exposed a small portion of their midriffs. According to Kehidi, a male flight attendant approached them and requested that they "put something on," prompting the women to ask if there was a specific dress code that prohibited crop tops.
Spirit Airlines has defended its actions by pointing to its "Contract of Carriage," which passengers agree to when purchasing a ticket. According to the airline's policy, a guest may be removed if they are "barefoot or inadequately clothed, or if their clothing is lewd, obscene, or offensive in nature." However, the contract does not explicitly mention crop tops or detail the specific type of attire that may be deemed inappropriate. The ambiguity of this policy has led to criticism from passengers and advocates who believe the enforcement was inconsistent and possibly discriminatory.
The incident quickly went viral when Teresa Araujo posted a series of videos on social media, detailing their experience. In her post, she claimed that the male flight attendant acted in a "sexist" manner and treated them poorly without providing a clear reason for the dress code enforcement. "We were harassed by a male flight attendant who told us to 'cover up' because we were wearing crop tops," Araujo wrote on Instagram, adding that other passengers, including flight staff, agreed that their attire was not against any dress code.
Despite the defense from fellow passengers, the women were given an ultimatum to either leave the flight or face the possibility of police involvement. According to Araujo, they were initially promised a rebooked flight by a Spirit Airlines supervisor. However, upon leaving the aircraft, they were told that there were no available flights, and they were refused a refund. The women ultimately spent $1,000 to book another flight with Delta Airlines to reach New Orleans for Araujo's 30th birthday celebration.
Adding to the complexity of the incident, the videos posted by Araujo showed another passenger, a mother with her toddler, also being removed from the plane. The mother is heard asking, "You're going to remove us from the plane? Even my baby?" The reason for the removal of the mother and her child remains unclear, as they were reportedly not involved in the initial dress code dispute.
Reactions to the incident have been mixed. Many on social media have condemned Spirit Airlines for what they perceive as unfair treatment, labeling the situation as discriminatory and sexist. "This is appalling service, that in 2024 we are getting kicked out of a plane for ONE MALE flight attendant not liking our shirts," Araujo wrote in her Instagram caption. She also suggested that legal action might be pursued, as other passengers and even police officers at the scene reportedly advised them to consider suing for discrimination.
Spirit Airlines issued a brief statement in response to the controversy, stating that they are investigating the matter and are in contact with the guests involved. "Our Contract of Carriage includes certain clothing standards for all Guests traveling with us," the airline said. "We are looking into the specifics of this case to ensure our policies were applied fairly and consistently."
This is not the first time Spirit Airlines has faced scrutiny over its handling of passenger attire. The incident has reignited conversations about the enforcement of dress codes on flights, with critics arguing that such policies are often subjective and can be used to single out passengers unfairly. The lack of a clear and transparent dress code has led some to question whether Spirit's policies are being applied evenly to all travelers.
