Kevin Pietersen launches tirade against Qantas after being barred from lounge for wearing thongs

FIREBRAND English cricketer Kevin Pietersen has launched a tirade against Qantas after he was refused entry to the airline’s lounge.

FORMER English cricket star Kevin Pietersen has taken a shot at Qantas calling them “Muppets” after he was refused entry into the lounge for wearing thongs.

The right-handed batsman, who will play for the Melbourne Stars in this year’s Big Bash League, is understood to have been in transit when he attempted to enter the exclusive area before being promptly told he couldn’t because of his foot attire.

The normally jovial sports star was peeved and took to social media to vent his frustration at Australia’s national carrier.

In his first tweet, the 35-year-old slapped Qantas for the policy suggesting that they actually tell their “Platinum, First Class fliers that they are not allowed” in their lounges with “flip flops” (thongs) before they fly. He ended the tweet by calling the airline “Muppets!”

Ten minutes later KP took another swing at them but this time pointing out that “thongs are a great institution in this great country! GET A GRIP!”.

He then wrote that he was tired, jet-lagged and “just wanted to chill” signing off with the hashtag “Muppets” and the angry red emoji.

Despite his frustration, KP tweeted again that he was happy to be back in Australia: “Anyway, it’s soooooo cool being back in Aus! I know so many wonderful people here! Can’t wait to see you all over the next month!”

I suggest you tell Platinum, First Class fliers that they not allowed in your lounges with flip flops before they fly, @Qantas! Muppets! 😡

— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) December 14, 2015

And BTW, @Qantas! Thongs are an institution in this great country! GET A GRIP! Tired, jet lagged & just wanted to chill! #Muppets 😡

— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) December 14, 2015

Anyway, it's soooooo cool being back in Aus! I know so many wonderful people here! Can't wait to see you all over the next month! ❤️🇦🇺

— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) December 14, 2015

It is not the first time Qantas has come under fire for its dress code.

Singer Kate Ceberano claimed that staff kicked her out of its lounge in October for inappropriate clothing.

The Aussie singer was travelling to Brisbane ahead of her appearance at the Caloundra Music Festival, wearing a pair of open-toe sandals.

“Disappointed to be evicted from the Qantas Lounge after being a member since 1990 for wearing ‘inappropriate footwear’? hahaha (new rules),” the 48-year-old wrote on her Facebook page.

Qantas changed its dress guidelines in April.

A spokesman for the airline told news.com.au the airline has always has smart casual dress standards for its lounges, which were similar for those in place for most clubs and restaurants. “Over the past year or so, we had clear feedback from lounge members that they wanted these existing guidelines to be applied more rigorously,” he said. “We reached out to members early in 2015 to remind them of the dress standards and had a grace period up until April this year.

“We completely understand that being declined at the door isn’t a great experience, so this is a good opportunity to remind those wanting to use our capital city lounges of the dress code that applies.”