Yesterday, we reported how United Airlines backed itself into a PR nightmare when it refused to let passengers board because of their attire.
Three travellers, one a 10-year-old girl, were denied boarding of their Denver to Minneapolis flight as they were dressed in leggings, and told they didn’t comply with the dress code of those travelling on staff tickets.
@APerzanowski Boarding was denied this morning as her attire didn’t meet the UA pass travel clothing requirements:https://t.co/VX0BNfIOst^CB
— United (@united) March 26, 2017
Girls wearing LEGGINGS reportedly forced to change before @united would let them board and this…is…United’s response… pic.twitter.com/KHJgau8tRE
— Elizabeth Minkel (@elizabethminkel) March 26, 2017
And now celebrities are jumping on the bandwagon to boycott United Airlines over the fiasco, starting with Sarah Silverman and Chrissy Teigen leading the charge.
Check out Twitter below:
Hey @united I fly a LOT. About to go on tour all April and changing all my @united flights to other airlines
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) March 26, 2017
@SarahKSilverman The attire of the teenage pass travelers did not meet our policy for company benefit travel. ^KP
— United (@united) March 26, 2017
I understand. I suggest u consider updating ur rules 4 friends & fam as they seem to apply mostly 2 females & are outdated. https://t.co/41chqN32Q0
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) March 26, 2017
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.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) March 26, 2017
@chrissyteigen I think the girls were using employee passes, so there is a dress code because they’re representing the airline.
— Alice (@NYC_mama) March 26, 2017
@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) March 26, 2017
@NYC_mama sorry I didn’t mean for the don’t care part to sound so aggressive. I literally meant I don’t really care.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) March 26, 2017
@NYC_mama I don’t need forced public apologies and takedowns. I just make a conscious effort to not support.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) March 26, 2017
United Airlines has responded beyond Twitter by publishing a blog post on the issue of dress codes, leggings and staff travel perks. Have a read:
“Let us take a moment to explain today’s news:
“We care about the way we present ourselves to you, our customers, as we believe that is part of the experience on board our flights. One of the benefits of working for an airline is that our employees are able to travel the world. Even better, they can extend this privilege to a select number of what we call “pass riders.”
“These are relatives or friends who also receive the benefit of free or heavily discounted air travel – on our airline as well as on airlines around the world where we have mutual agreements in place for employees and pass riders.
“When taking advantage of this benefit, all employees and pass riders are considered representatives of United. And like most companies, we have a dress code that we ask employees and pass riders to follow. The passengers this morning were United pass riders and not in compliance with our dress code for company benefit travel.
“We regularly remind our employees that when they place a family member or friend on a flight for free as a standby passenger, they need to follow our dress code.
“To our regular customers, your leggings are welcome.”
