Airline Dress Codes: Cracking Down on Inappropriate Dress

Arlines are cracking down on what’s described as “inappropriate dress”.

Depending on the airline you are flying, that means revealing tank tops or crop tops, shorts, t-shirts with political or sexual messages or four-letter words, low-hanging pants that show underwear or a butt crack, low necklines that show too much cleavage, even flip-flops.

Airlines do not publish their dress codes, so it’s not always clear what’s appropriate. There are no firm rules, which can leave passengers and gate agents or flight attendants guessing how far to push fashion boundaries, according to a travel law firm.

Here’s what you need to know so you are not denied boarding, whether it’s for a domestic or international flight.

Male model wearing brightly colored crop top and shorts as example of clothing some airlines say violates proper dress code_evelynkanter — Photo: Devil Walking

Re-Inforced Airline Dress Code Regulations

The guidelines regarding the appearance of passengers on airlines are typically documented in a legal contract known as the “conditions of carriage.”

This agreement is essentially a legal contract that passengers enter with the airline whenever they purchase a ticket. By purchasing a ticket, passengers automatically consent to abide by the rules and conditions outlined in the contract of carriage.

Spirit has joined American, United, Delta, and Southwest in enforcing dress code regulations domestically.

Modest attire is enforced especially on flag carriers from the Middle East.

Experts recommend that the safest and most universally accepted approach would be to opt for smart, casual, and modest attire, helping to avoid any last-minute complications before departure.

They highlighted several key concerns:

Inadequate clothing, such as barefoot travel, or lewd attire, was often cited as problematic.
Business class passengers face even stricter expectations, especially on routes to culturally conservative regions.
Swimwear, though frequently worn in beach destinations, remained strongly discouraged during flights.

These airline dress code rules are from the travel trade publication Travel and Tour World – domestic airlines first, then international –

clip art of turquoise flip flops_evelynkanter — Free clipart

Hawaiian Airlines: No Swimwear in Flight

Hawaiian Airlines has drawn a clear line on acceptable attire, with special attention paid to those flying between beach regions.

According to the revised policy, bare feet are prohibited, and bathing suits, such as bikini bottoms or speedos, are deemed unsuitable.

The airline reportedly emphasized that upper torsos must be appropriately covered, which was considered a response to passengers attempting to board in beachwear.

Travel professionals highlight the need for vacation-goers in places like Hawaii to remember that island casual does not mean airplane acceptable.

best US airlines for service, reliability, more_ecoxplorer — Image: Southwest

Southwest Airlines: No Room for Disruption

In their straightforward contract, Southwest Airlines has reinforced that footwear was mandatory, and inappropriate attire—particularly that which was obscene or disruptive—would be grounds for denied boarding.

Flight attendants have the authority to make final decisions, and passengers were being warned not to assume casual meant careless.

Those traveling domestically in the United States, especially in the Southwest corridor, were said to be most affected by these clarifications.

United adds flights to popular destinations in US and Canada_evelynkanter — Photo: United Airlines

United Airlines: Clear Basic Rules

According to policy watchers, United Airlines enforced a more basic but consistently applied dress code. The essential requirements included:

Being properly clothed.
Wearing footwear.
Avoiding offensive imagery or messages.

Travel analysts observed that crew members retained the right to deny boarding for non-compliance, a measure viewed as critical to preserving passenger comfort and airline professionalism.

woman airline passenger using seatback entertainment system_ecoxplorer — Photo: Delta

Delta Air Lines: Hygiene Matters

On Delta flights, the approach was noted to be slightly more subjective but equally important.

While no comprehensive list of banned clothing was issued, passengers were expected to avoid attire or hygiene concerns that could disturb others.

Experts emphasized that this included:

Unclean clothing.
Strong odors.
Offensive or overly revealing outfits.

Passengers traveling from Atlanta, Detroit, or other Delta hubs were advised to adhere to a neutral, clean appearance.

new airline routes for summer travel_ecoxplorer — Photo: American Airlines

American Airlines: Ambiguity of “Appropriate”

American Airlines reportedly left the matter open to staff interpretation, with “appropriate” dress defined by its contract of carriage as excluding bare feet and offensive clothing.

However, what exactly constituted “offensive” was not spelled out.

This left a gray area, which analysts believed could lead to confusion or disputes if travelers misunderstood the standards.

They recommended opting for safe, inoffensive clothing, especially when flying through American Airlines’ key hubs like Dallas–Fort Worth and Charlotte.

Spirit Airlines plane inflight_evelynkanter — Pexels photo

Spirit Airlines: New Dress Code Announced January 2024

The most notable recent development came from Spirit Airlines, which formally revised its contract of carriage on January 22, 2024.

The updated rules specified that passengers may be denied boarding or removed from the aircraft for:

Being barefoot or inadequately clothed.
Wearing see-through clothing that exposed private areas.
Displaying lewd, obscene, or offensive tattoos or clothing.

Passengers were encouraged to cover visible tattoos if they could be interpreted as offensive or disturbing to others.

This change was considered significant, as it represented a stricter enforcement trend within the airline industry, possibly setting the tone for other low-cost carriers globally.

airline dress codes for international travel_evelynkanter — Photo: Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways: Smart Casual Required

In routes extending across the Middle East, Qatar Airways was said to have applied its own higher standards, especially for premium cabin passengers.

Among the restrictions mentioned were:

Shorts and sportswear being ruled out.
A strong recommendation for smart casual in business class.
Awareness of cultural expectations at destination points.

how to apply for a US passport — Image: USDOT

Global Implications for International Travelers

The emerging trend of stricter dress codes was seen as shifting the norms of air travel etiquette across the globe.

Travelers flying internationally are likely to face more consistent scrutiny regarding attire.

These updates highlighted several implications for global passengers:

Cultural awareness had become more essential than ever.
Business travelers needed to dress with destination customs in mind.
Leisure travelers heading to resort cities had to resist boarding in poolside attire.

Industry experts concluded that passengers who failed to adapt risked embarrassment, boarding denials, or even removal from flights.

A simple dress misstep, they warned, could now interrupt an otherwise seamless travel experience.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is an award-winning journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.