United Airlines in sexism row after girls in leggings barred from flight

Mark Chandler27 March 2017

An airline is facing a huge backlash on social media after two girls were barred from boarding their flight because they were wearing leggings.

Passenger Shannon Watts said the incident took place on a United Airlines flight from Denver to Minneapolis on Sunday.

Ms Watts, a political activist, said a group of girls, including a 10-year-old, were targeted by airline staff and forced to wear dresses over the top of their leggings or change their clothes.

She said three girls were allowed to board after putting on dresses but a further two could not get on the plane.

United has since said the girls were “United pass travellers”, a ticket for employees and their dependents who are eligible for discounted travel but have to abide by a dress code.

United: The airline has faced a row over leggings
Reuters

That includes female passengers not wearing "form-fitting lycra/spandex tops, pants and dresses”, plus midriff-baring tops, mini-skirts, or shorts that fall less than 3 inches above the knee.

But Ms Watts tweeted: “3 girls inspected for wearing perfectly acceptable leggings.

“2 not allowed to board. I don't care what kind of passengers they were.”

She went on: “This behavior is sexist and sexualizes young girls.

“Not to mention that the families were mortified and inconvenienced.

“As the mother of 4 daughters who live and travel in yoga pants, I'd like to know how many boys @United has penalized for the same reason.”

Her tweets caused an outcry on social media, with model Chrissy Teigen writing: "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.”

Actress Patricia Arquette complained: “Leggings are the business attire for 10 year olds. Their business is being children.”

Writer Charles Clymer chimed in: “I'll bet my life savings that a grown man in yoga pants--let alone a boy--on a ‘traveler's pass’ wouldn't have been denied entry.”

A United Airlines spokesman said: “When taking advantage of this benefit, all employees and pass riders are considered representatives of United.

“And like most companies, we have a dress code that we ask employees and pass riders to follow."

The airline said the girls would not have been turned away for wearing leggings had they been paying customers.

It's Twitter account later posted: "To our customers…your leggings are welcome!"

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