Did United Airlines ban leggings?

Here's why United Airlines banned girls with leggings from a flight. United said the ban is part of its pass travelers policy. United is not the only airline to ban leggings for certain fliers. United said the ban is part of its pass travelers policy.



No, United Airlines does not have a general ban on leggings for paying passengers, but a viral 2017 incident created a widespread misunderstanding of their policy. In that case, three girls were barred from boarding a flight in Denver because their leggings violated the "Pass Rider" dress code. These girls were flying as "non-rev" passengers (friends or family of employees using free or discounted travel perks), and United maintains a specific professional dress code for people representing the company in this way. For standard, fare-paying customers, leggings and athletic wear are perfectly acceptable and are a common sight in the cabin. The backlash from the incident was so significant that it sparked a global conversation about "clothing shaming" and corporate policies. United later clarified that leggings are welcome for regular customers, and by 2026, their Contract of Carriage only specifies that passengers must be "properly clothed" and not "barefoot" to ensure safety and common decency, with no specific prohibition on spandex or form-fitting attire for the general public.

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