Passengers planning to fly Spirit Airlines might want to double-check their wardrobe choices before heading to the airport. In January, the airline announced an updated set of passenger policies that include a stricter dress code aimed at preventing what it describes as inappropriate or offensive attire. The revised rules also require passengers with certain types of body art to cover up before boarding. For those accustomed to a casual travel experience, this change marks a noticeable shift in Spirit’s approach to enforcing standards.
The airline’s updated “Contract of Carriage” now explicitly prohibits boarding for anyone deemed “barefoot” or “inadequately clothed.” This includes passengers wearing see-through clothing, those with insufficient coverage of private areas, or individuals whose attire—or even body art—is deemed lewd, obscene, or offensive. Spirit also mentions that passengers with “offensive odor,” unless related to a qualifying disability, may be barred from boarding. While the wording leaves some room for interpretation, it’s clear Spirit is cracking down on attire it finds objectionable.
The decision to revise the dress code reportedly stems from a series of incidents involving passenger attire that caught public attention. According to reports, these included cases where passengers were removed from flights for wearing crop tops or clothing with explicit language. These incidents sparked debates over personal expression versus public decency, prompting Spirit to take a firmer stance. However, Spirit is far from alone in implementing dress codes for passengers, as several other major airlines maintain similar policies.
United Airlines, for example, reserves the right to remove passengers who are barefoot or wearing clothing deemed lewd, obscene, or offensive. Similarly, Delta Air Lines’ policy allows removal for attire, hygiene, or odors that create an unreasonable risk of offense to other travelers. American Airlines also requires passengers to “dress appropriately,” specifically banning bare feet or clothing considered offensive. Spirit’s stricter enforcement of such policies places it squarely in line with industry trends, even as some travelers may find the rules subjective or overly restrictive.
For Spirit Airlines, the new policy is framed as a way to ensure a comfortable and respectful environment for all passengers, but critics might argue it raises questions about fairness and consistency in enforcement. As airlines increasingly turn to dress codes to maintain decorum, travelers may find themselves navigating yet another layer of regulation in an already complicated travel experience. Whether passengers see this as a necessary step or an overreach, it’s clear that airlines are taking a more proactive approach to addressing what they consider inappropriate attire in the skies.
