An airline stopped two female passengers boarding a flight for wearing ‘inappropriate’ leggings

AN AIRLINE that prevented two passengers from boarding a flight for wearing leggings is copping a heavy backlash.

United Airlines has copped harsh criticism for stopping two female passengers — one of them a child — from boarding a flight for wearing leggings. Picture: Supplied

THEY’RE a popular item of activewear but one airline has deemed leggings inappropriate and prevented two female passengers — one of them a child — from boarding a flight for wearing them.

United Airlines faced harsh criticism online after an account of their ‘fashion police’ actions went viral on social media.

Passenger Shannon Watts was at the gate at Denver in the US state of Colorado waiting to board a flight when she witnessed the bizarre incident and Tweeted her thoughts.

“A @united gate agent isn’t letting girls in leggings get on flight from Denver to Minneapolis because spandex is not allowed,” Ms Watts posted.

“She’s forcing them to change or put dresses on over leggings or they can’t board. Since when does @united police women’s clothing? Gate agent for (flight) 215 at 7:55. Said she doesn’t make the rules, just follows them. I guess @united not letting women wear athletic wear?”

United Airlines has deemed leggings ‘inappropriate’ and prevented two female passengers from boarding a flight for wearing them.

The initial implication was that the clothing was unsafe because of the type of material but the airline later clarified that its decision was based on appropriateness.

However author Dana Schwartz later Tweeted that one of the passengers was a 10-year-old girl, writing: “Good luck to @united explaining why she looked too sexual.”

.@united They just boarded after being forced to change or put dresses on over the top of their clothing. Is this your policy?

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) 26 March 2017

The two passengers were later allowed to get on the plane after changing their clothing, Watts reported.

United Airlines has the right to refuse travel to passengers not appropriately dressed, it said.

United Airlines eventually responded on Twitter, pointing to “rule 21 ... in our Contract of Carriage” that states they have the right to refuse transport for passengers who are “barefoot or not properly clothed”.

The document doesn’t define “properly clothed”, which drew further ire from Twitter users — including model Chrissy Teigen and actress Patricia Arquette.

Teigen wrote: “I have flown united before with literally no pants on. Just a top as a dress. Next time I will wear only jeans and a scarf.”

@NYC_mama honestly I don't really care. If I have an issue with a company, I stop giving them money. Like d&g. Easy peasy.

— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) 26 March 2017

@PattyArquette @Shananigans @united @shannonrwatts See? 👇🏻 I've done it before! 👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/MC6P144kjL

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) 26 March 2017

United Airlines later clarified that the passengers were “pass travellers”, meaning employees or members of their family who fly at a discounted rate.

In a statement to Us Weekly, they said: “The passengers this morning were United pass riders who were not in compliance with our dress code policy for company benefit travel.”