Spirit Joins American, United, Delta, and Southwest in Cracking Down on Inappropriate Travel Attire What Every Passenger Should Know Before Heading to the Airport

Published on April 30, 2025

Travel industry analysts suggested that the international travel community was expected to experience the broad impact of newly reinforced airline dress code regulations, which gained momentum after a policy change initiated in Orlando on January 22, 2024. At that time, one airline officially updated its contract of carriage, clarifying specific guidelines on what passengers could and could not wear while flying. The shift was widely seen as a direct response to rising concerns over passenger comfort, cultural respect, and the desire to maintain a more mindful onboard atmosphere.

With seven major carriers now upholding their own versions of these rules, travelers throughout North America, the Middle East, and various coastal holiday spots were reportedly being urged to reconsider their travel wardrobe. The growing emphasis on appropriate attire reflected an industry-wide movement to foster more respectful and inclusive flight environments, prompting passengers to adopt more mindful dressing habits to avoid potential boarding denials or conflict during travel.

Final Reminder: Dress Thoughtfully to Ensure Smooth Boarding

Travel analysts emphasized that as more airlines began enforcing what they considered reasonable and respectful dress standards, passengers were being urged to pay closer attention to what they wore onboard. Travelers were advised to avoid clothing choices that could be seen as too revealing, provocative, or potentially offensive, as these could lead to discomfort for others and even denied boarding.

Experts recommended that the safest and most universally accepted approach would be to opt for smart, casual, and modest attire, helping to avoid any last-minute complications before departure.

They highlighted several key concerns:

• Inadequate clothing, such as barefoot travel, or lewd attire, was often cited as problematic.
• Business class passengers faced even stricter expectations, especially on routes to culturally conservative regions.
• Swimwear, though frequently worn in beach destinations, remained strongly discouraged during flights.

It was made clear that a traveler’s outfit alone could now determine their ability to board, making appropriate clothing not just a matter of personal style but also of access to air travel.

Hawaiian Airlines: Banning Swimwear in Paradise

Observers noted that Hawaiian Airlines had drawn a clear line on acceptable attire, with special attention paid to those flying between beach regions. According to the revised policy, bare feet were prohibited, and bathing suits, such as bikini bottoms or speedos, were deemed unsuitable.

The airline reportedly emphasized that upper torsos must be appropriately covered, which was considered a response to passengers attempting to board in beachwear.

Travel professionals highlighted the need for vacation-goers in places like Hawaii to remember that island casual didn’t mean airplane acceptable.

Southwest Airlines: No Room for Disruption

In their straightforward contract, Southwest Airlines had reinforced that footwear was mandatory, and inappropriate attire—particularly that which was obscene or disruptive—would be grounds for denied boarding.

Flight attendants were given authority to make final decisions, and passengers were being warned not to assume casual meant careless.

Those traveling domestically in the United States, especially in the Southwest corridor, were said to be most affected by these clarifications.

Qatar Airways: Smart Casual Required in Business Class

In routes extending across the Middle East, Qatar Airways was said to have applied its own higher standards, especially for premium cabin passengers.

Among the restrictions mentioned were:

• Shorts and sportswear being ruled out.
• A strong recommendation for smart casual in business class.
• Awareness of cultural expectations at destination points.

This was interpreted by analysts as a proactive measure to ensure that the airline maintained a premium image, while also respecting regional norms.

United Airlines: Clear Basics, Firm Execution

According to policy watchers, United Airlines enforced a more basic but consistently applied dress code. The essential requirements included:

• Being properly clothed.
• Wearing footwear.
• Avoiding offensive imagery or messages.

Travel analysts observed that crew members retained the right to deny boarding for non-compliance, a measure viewed as critical to preserving passenger comfort and airline professionalism.

Delta Air Lines: Attire and Hygiene Matter

On Delta flights, the approach was noted to be slightly more subjective but equally important. While no comprehensive list of banned clothing was issued, passengers were expected to avoid attire or hygiene concerns that could disturb others.

Experts emphasized that this included:

• Unclean clothing.
• Strong odors.
• Offensive or overly revealing outfits.

Passengers traveling from Atlanta, Detroit, or other Delta hubs were advised to adhere to a neutral, clean appearance.

American Airlines: The Ambiguity of “Appropriate”

American Airlines had reportedly left the matter open to staff interpretation, with “appropriate” dress defined by its contract of carriage as excluding bare feet and offensive clothing. However, what exactly constituted “offensive” was not spelled out.

This left a gray area, which analysts believed could lead to confusion or disputes if travelers misunderstood the standards. They recommended opting for safe, inoffensive clothing, especially when flying through American Airlines’ key hubs like Dallas–Fort Worth and Charlotte.

Spirit Airlines: New Dress Code Announced January 22, 2024

The most notable recent development came from Spirit Airlines, which formally revised its contract of carriage on January 22, 2024.

The updated rules specified that passengers may be denied boarding or removed from the aircraft for:

• Being barefoot or inadequately clothed.
• Wearing see-through clothing that exposed private areas.
• Displaying lewd, obscene, or offensive tattoos or clothing.

Passengers were encouraged to cover visible tattoos if they could be interpreted as offensive or disturbing to others.

This change was considered significant, as it represented a stricter enforcement trend within the airline industry, possibly setting the tone for other low-cost carriers globally.

Global Implications for International Travelers

The emerging trend of stricter dress codes was seen as shifting the norms of air travel etiquette across the globe. Travelers flying internationally—from New York to Doha, Los Angeles to Honolulu, or Miami to London—were likely to face more consistent scrutiny regarding attire.

These updates highlighted several implications for global passengers:

• Cultural awareness had become more essential than ever.
• Business travelers needed to dress with destination customs in mind.
• Leisure travelers heading to resort cities had to resist boarding in poolside attire.

Industry experts concluded that passengers who failed to adapt risked embarrassment, boarding denials, or even removal from flights. A simple dress misstep, they warned, could now interrupt an otherwise seamless travel experience.