Gone are the days when everyone would dress formally to catch a flight.
While most passengers now opt for comfort over style, many airlines still have dress codes — and enforce them.
Two women in the United States recently found that out the hard way, saying they were kicked off a Spirit Airlines plane by a male flight attendant for wearing crop tops.
Spirit’s contract of carriage states passengers won’t be allowed to board a flight or may have to leave one if they’re “inadequately clothed” or wearing clothing that’s “lewd, obscene, or offensive in nature”.
It’s led many social media users to point out the sexist differences in dress codes and how they’re enforced.
These are Australian airlines’ rules about what you can and can’t wear on a flight.
Virgin Australia’s dress code
Virgin Australia states on its website that it has “minimum dress requirements” for passengers.
To board a flight, all adults and children who are capable of walking must wear suitable footwear. Thongs are acceptable.
You must also wear “suitable clothing that covers your bottom half” such as shorts, a skirt, pants, or trousers.
All adults and children who are capable of walking must wear suitable footwear. Source: Getty / Mariia Siurtukova
A shirt — which can include anything from a business button-down to a singlet — must be worn, as well.
If your clothes have any offensive language or symbols on them, you won’t be allowed on the flight. What’s considered offensive isn’t made clear in Virgin’s policy, though.
Passengers whose outfits don’t meet the minimum requirements won’t be allowed to travel until they’re dressed appropriately.
If you’re planning to spend some time in a Virgin Australia lounge, a smart casual dress code applies, meaning the airline could refuse you entry if you’re not wearing appropriate clothing and footwear.
Qantas’ dress code
Qantas’ website doesn’t list an explicit dress code for flights, seemingly implying it doesn’t have one. SBS News has contacted the airline for clarification.
If you’re planning on spending time in the Qantas lounge, you will need to meet its smart casual dress code.
Thongs and bare feet aren’t permitted, nor is head-to-toe gym wear, or beachwear, including boardshorts.
Those wanting to get into their pyjamas before their flight will need to wait until after they’ve left the lounge as sleepwear, including ugg boots and slippers are not allowed.
Revealing, unclean or torn clothing is also a no-go, although the policy doesn’t clearly state what types of clothes are considered revealing.
Clothing featuring offensive images or slogans is also banned from the Qantas lounge, while those wearing clean hi-vis and other uniforms are allowed.
Jetstar’s dress code
The only clothing requirement Jetstar has for passengers is that they don’t wear or carry anything that displays words, slogans, images, or symbols that “may reasonably be deemed offensive”, such as a top with slurs or swear words on it.
If you do, you’ll be asked to cover up the offensive material.
It’s also a safety requirement that all adults and children who are able to walk wear footwear while getting on and off planes.
Outside of babies, infants and children being carried, the only people allowed to have bare feet or only wear socks on Jetstar flights are passengers using a medical device such as a wheelchair or crutches, or in a plaster or plastic cast
While it’s recommended you keep your shoes on once you’ve boarded, it’s not required — even if you’re sitting in an exit row.
Babies don’t have to wear shoes on flights if they’re being carried. Source: Getty / Westend61
Rex’s dress code
Rex’s website doesn’t mention a dress code, which, like Qantas, implies that it doesn’t have one. SBS News has contacted the regional airline for clarification.
Rex’s conditions of carriage do state that it reserves the right to refuse to carry a passenger or any of a passenger’s baggage or goods without explanation.
That means you could be kicked off a flight at Rex’s discretion, without being given a reason why.
