Too Sexy to Fly? Should an Airline's Dress Code Be Based on the Opinion of One Worker?

   By drodriguez  Jun 26, 2012
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While planning your next air travel trip you may want to consider your in-flight wardrobe choices before heading over to the airport. One Southwest Airlines traveler recently made headlines after she was asked not to board her 6 AM flight from Las Vegas to New York because an airline worker felt her dress revealed too much cleavage and was not family friendly.

Jezebel reports about the traveler, Avital, and her run-in with the airline. Though she was told to cover up or get off the flight, Avital stood her ground and eventually (after telling her story to media outlets) received an apology and refund for the uncomfortable experience.

This is not the first time Southwest Airlines has issued a public apology after a disgruntled passenger has been asked to leave a flight. We reported about director Kevin Smith’s experience with the airline when he was asked to leave a full flight due to his size.

In this latest incident, Avital (who happens to be a large-chested woman) was wearing a plain loose fitting long cotton dress, scarf and flannel on board. Questions of whether a slightly smaller-chested woman would have been called out for “inappropriate” attire arise. Many also take offense that it comes down to the opinion of one airline official deciding whether or not a person is dressed appropriately in incidences like this.

Though the airline has apologized to Avital for the latest incident, spokesperson Christi McNeill explains that, “As a Company that promotes a casual and family-focused atmosphere onboard our aircraft and in our airports, we simply ask that our Customers use good judgment and exercise discretion in deference to other Customers who depend on us to provide a comfortable travel experience.”

How do you think airlines should enforce their dress codes?

Do you think this woman was dressed inappropriately for her flight?  Was the airline worker in the right to ask her to cover up or go home?

*Photo Credit/Jezebel*

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66rogers by 66rogers | Spencerport, NY
Jul 20, 2012

In my opinion,i do not think anyone has the right to judge you based on the way you look, especially when you are a paying client. I could understand if you were given an incentive or prize being able to put limitations on it. I think our society as a whole has aggressifly put too much of an emphasis on the body and the way it is now precived. I'm pretty sure that had this been a twenty-something attractive female there would have been no problems with her showing a little clevage. So I have to disagree with what the airline did, although, I do not think the woman had the most style savy choice of outfits, it was her choice as a paying patron to be able to wear it.

ajcoupons by ajcoupons | Newark, TX
Jun 28, 2012

I agree with a dress code. You are flying, not going to a dance club. I agree with a shawl or something to cover.

bellbonnie74 by bellbonnie74 | SPRINGFIELD, MO
Jun 28, 2012

I think she was judged by her lack of fashion for sure. I think the airline went a bit too far here. It doesn't seem to me that she's showing anything inappropriate here. She's a large chested woman, for sure, but she has it all covered. the dress is made to show clevage, I've seen prom dresses show more than this. I agree the flannel shirt, the necklace, the belt, She was definitely trying to create her own "style" and that might be what pissed off the attendant to start with. We all can't afford be superstars and dress like one too. If she was flying Business class I could understand the point of asking her to change. But come on.. Really?

Easy2Save by Easy2Save | LEBANON, OR
Jun 28, 2012

I think if the lady had left the flannel shirt behind and instead had nice high heels and carried a good handbag she would have never been asked to get off the plane. No offense to her but the way you dressed how you put it all together makes a big difference in the way you are treated out in the world. I see this much cleavage when I go grocery shopping and I live in a smaller town. Southwest Airlines went a bit far in my opinion.

mallikarjuna by mallikarjuna | EDISON, NJ
Jun 28, 2012

Airhostess should have that freedom to choose their own dress codes.

cocoabella by cocoabella | EL PASO, TX
Jun 27, 2012

There is a line that people should not cross when going out in public.... period. I don't want to see people's body parts( ie: boobs and butts). The airline could have asked her to get into her luggage and change into something more appropriate. Or she could have been instructed to cover her boobage with a blanket during the flight, so as not to offend the other passengers.

thedreamer by thedreamer | BALLWIN, MO
Jun 27, 2012

And yet, a smaller chested woman with a comparable amount of cleavage shown...would she be asked to leave?

pandoras_boxed by pandoras_boxed | HIGHLAND, IN
Jun 27, 2012

I think I kind of agree with the 1st comment. She sure is 'hanging out' all over & if that's where she's going with her wardrobe then what's with that flannel shirt over the dress? Looks to me like she just has bad taste & bad judgement all the way around. From her body & legs in the photo it looks like she's an ' older woman ' maybe 60's or more? What's she doing with her top hanging out like that at her age especially in a public place (shouldn't do that no matter how old you are, but you'd think someone her age would know better.)? I think she did want to take the focus off her weight & face knowing that most men don't give a care about anything else much if they can get a good look at a woman's boobs. Desperate for male attention? I'm not sure I'd want my 7 yr. old daughter sitting near someone while they're looking like that.

MadHatter by MadHatter | Whitestone , NY
Jun 26, 2012

I don't think that they should enforce a dress code, but then there is a fine line in drawing with that lady becoming almost indecent exposed. seriously, her boobs are just hanging out like that...and I do find what she is wearing offending. she could at least put a really nice shawl on or something...or maybe she just loves all the attention she is getting with the men talking to her boobs instead of to her face.