United Airlines triggers social media outrage after barring girls for wearing leggings

The company has been defending its passenger dress code policy from criticism on Twitter since a high-profile Twitter user shared that the girls’ spandex was at issue.

Social Cues is our look at what people are talking about across social media.

United Airlines found itself in a tights spot on Sunday and was still facing a backlash on Monday after two teenage girls were barred from boarding a flight because they were wearing leggings. The reason? They were wearing leggings. In a series of tweets, one witness describes seeing the girls stopped from boarding the flight until they changed into something they deemed more appropriate. The much stricter pass travelers dress code mandates they can not wear such clothing as flip-flops, mini-skirts, ripped or tattered jeans, midriff shirts, any clothing that makes their underwear visible or – wait for it – “form-fitting” spandex or lycra trousers or shirts.

United’s response then, via Twitter, was that under its passenger contract, it has the “right to refuse passengers who are not properly clothed“.

Celebrities were quick to call out the airline, whether it was Sarah Silverman threatening to change her United Airlines flights for an upcoming tour or William Shatner tweeting a photo of himself wearing only leggings on the set of Star Trek.

Considering that leggings are now a beloved, integral part of women’s clothing – not to mention, often more expensive than regular trousers, thanks to the swanky athleisure trend – it seems time to me that it’s time for United to follow suit. “I have flown United before with literally no trousers on”.

But glamorous? United Airlines should not kid itself that that’s how people view flying any more. There’s no guarantee that “non-revenue” travelers will actually get a seat – you’re flying standby, and only get to board if there’s room.

Denise Lee Yohn, the author of What Great Brands Do, told Entrepreneur that while consistency is admirable in a brand, in this case, the company would have done well to tell aggrieved customers that it was planning to review its rules around the dress code.

“You should always be aware of how you dress and how others might form an opinion of how you dress, and do what you will with that”. Apparently these rascals had breached the company’s dress code for “United pass travellers”.

“We care about the way we present themselves to you, our customers, as we believe that is part of the experience on board our flights”, United said. 2 not allowed to board.

There are, I think it’s fair to say, plenty of contexts where the existence of a dress code isn’t inherently sexist.

To be clear, United says, if you’re paying for your flight, “your leggings are welcome”.

The explanation hasn’t been as popular as the outrage.

3 girls inspected for wearing perfectly acceptable leggings.

And United scrambled to explain itself, eventually saying that the travelers were on “company benefit travel”, for which there’s a dress code that doesn’t apply to all other travelers. “Their business is being children”, she tweeted.