Fashion Patrol in the Sky: A Male Flight Attendant’s Struggle with Crop Tops and Cabin Rules

On October 6, 2024, two female passengers, Teresa and her friend Tara, were forcibly removed from Spirit Airlines flight 387 from Los Angeles to New Orleans, sparking accusations of sexism and discrimination against a male flight attendant. The incident, which has since gone viral on social media, has led to outrage, as many view it as an unnecessary display of "inflight fashion policing."

The Incident: Crop Tops Spark Controversy

Teresa, who documented the event in a series of Instagram posts, explained that she and Tara boarded the plane wearing pants and sweaters, but removed their sweaters once seated because they felt too warm. Underneath, they were wearing crop tops, which the male flight attendant found unacceptable, allegedly telling them to "cover up."

The situation quickly escalated when the flight attendant threatened to remove them from the flight unless they complied. Teresa pointed out that neither she nor Tara violated any Spirit Airlines dress code and that even other flight staff and passengers agreed their crop tops were not inappropriate.

Passenger and Crew Support

According to Teresa, other passengers tried to defend them, pointing out that Spirit Airlines’ Contract of Carriage does not explicitly prohibit crop tops. Some fellow travelers voiced their opinions that the flight attendant’s actions were unjustified. One woman with a toddler, who was also kicked off the plane, can be heard in one of Teresa’s videos asking, “You’re going to remove us from the plane? Even my baby?”

Despite support from both the passengers and other staff members, the flight attendant remained adamant. The situation escalated further when a supervisor intervened, allegedly telling Teresa and Tara they would have to leave the flight or face police intervention. Although the supervisor promised to rebook their flight, they later refused to provide alternative flights or a refund, leaving Teresa and Tara to spend $1,000 to rebook on another airline.

Accusations of Sexism and Misogyny

The viral videos of the incident sparked a widespread reaction on social media, with many viewers condemning the flight attendant’s actions as prejudiced and misogynistic. Teresa shared in her Instagram post, “This is appalling service, that in 2024 we are getting kicked out of a plane for ONE MALE flight attendant not liking our shirts.”

Teresa and Tara claim that the Spirit Airlines support staff confirmed there were no specific regulations against crop tops, and that they were not in violation of the airline’s Contract of Carriage, which allows a passenger to be removed only if they are “inadequately clothed” or their attire is “lewd, obscene, or offensive.”

Legal Action and Investigation

Teresa and Tara have since expressed their intention to take legal action, citing discrimination and sexist behavior by the flight attendant. In response, a Spirit Airlines representative acknowledged the incident and stated that the airline is investigating the matter. The airline emphasized that they take customer concerns seriously and will look into whether their dress code policies were appropriately enforced.

The incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between maintaining dress codes and respecting passenger rights. As the investigation unfolds, many will be watching to see how Spirit Airlines handles this incident and whether the actions of their staff align with their customer service standards.

The removal of Teresa and Tara from their Spirit Airlines flight over crop tops has ignited a broader conversation about discrimination and sexism in air travel. While Spirit Airlines investigates the situation, passengers like Teresa and Tara are left feeling humiliated and outraged, calling for a resolution to what they believe was unfair and discriminatory treatment. As air travelers continue to voice their concerns, airlines may need to reassess their dress code policies to prevent incidents like this from happening in the future.