Los Angeles, California – Spirit Airlines is facing significant backlash following allegations that two passengers, Tara Kehidi and Teresa Araujo, were forcibly removed from a flight from Los Angeles to New Orleans on October 4 due to their choice of attire. The incident has ignited a heated debate over a2irline dress codes and potential discriminatory practices.
According to reports from the New York Post, Kehidi and Araujo initially boarded the flight wearing sweaters to combat the plane’s inadequate air conditioning. However, as the flight progressed, they removed their sweaters, revealing crop tops that showed a small portion of their midriffs. A male flight attendant approached the women, instructing them to “put something on.” When the friends inquired about the airline’s dress code policy, the attendant walked away without providing a clear explanation.
“We were just wearing crop tops, a little bit of stomach showing,” Kehidi explained. “It was confusing, and it felt discriminatory.” Despite offering to put their sweaters back on multiple times to comply, the women were still escorted off the plane along with a mother traveling with a toddler. A supervisor intervened, threatening to involve the police if they did not leave the aircraft.
Passengers on board defended Kehidi and Araujo, but the situation escalated when the supervisor insisted they leave, leading to their removal. Araujo claims that the supervisor initially promised to rebook their flights but later reneged, citing no available seats. Frustrated by the ordeal, Araujo took to social media on October 6, sharing a series of videos detailing the events. “This is appalling service, that in 2024 we are getting kicked out of a plane for ONE MALE flight attendant not liking our shirts. Everyone working at the airport agreed this was an act of prejudice, discrimination, and misogyny, and that we should take legal actions,” she posted on Instagram.
Araujo further alleged that she had to spend $1,000 to secure another flight with a different airline. “We were kind of embarrassed as well because we felt we were being treated like… like criminals, you know. Everyone in the plane was looking at us,” she told ABC7 Chicago.
The incident has sparked widespread debate about the clarity and fairness of airline dress codes. Spirit Airlines maintains that their Contract of Carriage includes certain clothing standards, stating that passengers may be removed from a flight if they are “inadequately clothed, or whose clothing is lewd, obscene or offensive in nature.” However, the policy does not provide specific guidelines regarding midriff-baring tops, leaving room for subjective interpretation by flight staff.
In response to the allegations, a Spirit Airlines representative told The Independent, “Our Contract of Carriage, a document all Guests agree to upon making a reservation with us, includes certain clothing standards for all Guests traveling with us. We are investigating the matter and are in contact with the Guests about their experience.”
The case has garnered support from other passengers and advocacy groups who argue that the enforcement of dress codes can sometimes lead to biased and unfair treatment. As Spirit Airlines investigates the incident, both the airline and the affected passengers prepare for potential legal actions, highlighting the ongoing tensions between passenger rights and airline policies.
