‘Offensive’ Tattoos and Revealing Clothing Are Now on Spirit Airlines’ No-Fly List

Spirit Airlines Updates Dress Code Policy, Sparking Debate
Spirit Airlines has taken a step further than most U.S. airlines by explicitly defining what attire and appearance could prevent passengers from boarding or remaining on a flight.
Under the airline’s newly updated contract of carriage—a legal document outlining airline and passenger responsibilities—travelers may be denied boarding or removed if they are “inadequately clothed” or if their clothing or body art is deemed “lewd, obscene, or offensive.”
Spirit now defines “inadequately clothed” as having breasts, buttocks, or other private areas exposed or wearing sheer apparel. However, what qualifies as an offensive tattoo remains unclear, leaving much of the interpretation up to airline staff, including the flight crew.
In recent years, Spirit and other airlines have made headlines for barring passengers over dress code violations, including wearing leggings, short shorts, expletive-laden clothing, or even not wearing a bra.

Bobby Laurie, a former flight attendant and co-host of The Jet Set travel show, noted that dress code enforcement is highly subjective.
“What someone might find offensive or lewd, someone else may not,” Laurie explained. He added that removing a passenger over attire typically requires agreement from multiple airline employees.
Dress Code Policies Across Major Airlines
While Spirit Airlines’ updated policy is more detailed, most major U.S. airlines have vague guidelines, often leaving decisions up to staff discretion.
Here’s how other domestic airlines approach passenger dress codes:
Spirit Airlines: Prohibits bare feet and attire deemed “inadequate, lewd, obscene, or offensive.”
Southwest Airlines: Passengers cannot wear clothing that is “lewd, obscene, or patently offensive”—but the airline provides no further clarification.
United Airlines: Denies boarding to passengers who are barefoot, improperly clothed, or wearing attire deemed offensive.
Delta Air Lines: Will remove passengers if their clothing presents an “unreasonable risk of offense or annoyance” to others.
American Airlines: Requires travelers to “dress appropriately,” meaning no bare feet or “offensive” clothing.
JetBlue Airways: Prohibits travelers over five years old from being barefoot and bans lewd or obscene attire.
Alaska Airlines: Follows a policy similar to Delta’s, restricting attire that creates an unreasonable risk of offense or annoyance.