The budget carrier is scrutinizing passengers with an even more critical eye. Here's what fashion choices no longer fly.
Spirit Airlines Rolled Out a New Dress Code—Here’s What Could Get You Booted from Your Flight
Published on Jan. 29, 2025
Once upon a time, flying was new and exciting, and passengers dressed to impress. But as the decades flew by and the novelty of soaring through the skies wore off, high-flying dress codes took a nosedive. Tailored suits gave way to tracksuits, and pajamas became an acceptable flight uniform, especially in today’s anything-goes airport fashion scene.
Now, Spirit Airlines is ready to ground sky-high sloppiness with a clear message: Not all fashion choices are ready for the runway. In its newly updated “contract of carriage,” the airline is laying out a revised dress code that you’ll have to follow—or risk being booted from the flight.
If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to take fashion risks, read on before you pack for your next flight. We’re exploring the new rule and the styles that definitely will not be cleared for takeoff.
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What is Spirit Airlines’s new dress code?
Effective Jan. 22, 2025, Spirit Airlines is not just checking tickets but also outfits. Section 4.3.1. of the code of conduct covers the obvious infractions, such as disorderly or violent behavior. But the updated rules get much more specific about appearance. According to Spirit, any passenger who is “barefoot or inadequately clothed” is in violation of the rules.
The budget airline‘s definition of “improperly attired” includes wearing see-through garments or failing to properly cover up breasts, buttocks or other parts that most people would agree should stay firmly under wraps.
But the rules don’t stop at bare feet and revealing outfits. Spirit’s new dress code calls out anything “lewd, obscene or offensive in nature,” extending its ban to accessories and even body art. In other words, if your T-shirt or new tattoo makes heads turn for all the wrong reasons, Spirit could flag you for a dress code violation.
What happens if you disobey the dress code?
Unfortunately, you may miss your flight. The airline could bar you from boarding or remove you from the aircraft before takeoff.
Why did Spirit update its policy?
While Spirit Airlines has not publicly commented on exactly why it refreshed its policy, recent issues that made the news suggest the move wasn’t exactly out of the blue.
On Jan. 13, a Texas man reportedly was kicked off a Spirit flight from Los Angeles to San Antonio for wearing a sweatshirt denouncing hate—one that also included an expletive. And last fall, the Guardian reported that two women from Southern California were booted from a Spirit flight to New Orleans because of their crop tops. The pair claimed they had only removed their sweaters because the cabin’s air conditioning wasn’t working properly. Incidents like these appear to be topics too hot for Spirit to want to handle.
What other airlines have similar policies?
Spirit isn’t alone in policing passengers’ in-flight fashion selections. Most airlines have some form of a dress code on the books, though they generally tend to keep things vague:
- American Airlines: Passengers must “dress appropriately,” avoiding “bare feet or offensive clothing.”
- United Airlines: Travelers must be “properly clothed” and avoid attire that is “lewd, obscene or offensive.”
- Hawaiian Airlines: Passengers are prohibited from wearing bathing suits (including bikini bottoms and Speedos), and “clothing must cover the upper part of the torso.”
Spirit’s decision to spell out exactly what won’t fly could be a strategic move to sidestep possible future public relations disasters.
How are passengers reacting?
Love it or hate it, Spirit Airlines’s move to specify appropriate clothing for flying has caught travelers’ attention. “Save the crop tops for Florida’s beaches and keep your feet in your shoes!” one person commented on Reddit. Another applauded the new rules, writing, “Good. It’s time to bring back even a BIT of class to travel.”
Others in the same forum were less thrilled, questioning where Spirit draws the line. “I’m honestly not trying to troll, but I just can’t imagine what circumstances could lead to this?” commented one person, who added, “Especially from an airline that, it seems to me, should be happy to take every dollar it can get? What am I missing?”
Still, other frequent fliers saw the humorous side of the situation. One joked on X that Spirit “isn’t a good enough airline to enforce any standards on people.” Another deadpanned: “Other passengers’ attire is the primary reason I choose to fly Spirit.”
Why trust us
Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece, Aaron Rasmussen tapped his experience as a longtime travel writer and travel guidebook editor to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Spirit: “Contract of Carriage”
- ABC News: “Spirit Airlines Revises Passenger Conduct Rules with New Dress Code Restrictions”
- KENS5: “Spirit Airlines Looking into Viral Video of SA Man Getting Kicked Off Flight from LA Over His Hoodie”
- New York Post: “From Shorts to Body Odor: The Airline Dress Code Violations That Will Get You Kicked Off a Plane”
- Reddit: “Spirit Airlines Introduces New Dress Code for Passengers That Will Ban Fliers for Sporting Trashy Looks”
- X: “ABC News article”
