Women Allegedly Removed from Spirit Airlines Flight Over Crop Tops

Two American women allege they were instructed to disembark a Spirit Airlines flight due to their attire, specifically for wearing crop tops. Tara Kehidi from California and her friend Teresa Araujo reported the incident, which occurred on a New Orleans-bound flight departing from Los Angeles International Airport, to a local news station. The women filmed their confrontation with a flight attendant whom they claim asked them to leave the plane.

Spirit Airlines is currently investigating the incident. The airline noted that its contract of carriage, agreed upon by passengers when reservations are made, includes certain clothing standards. The airline stated that passengers might be asked to leave if they are “inadequately clothed, or whose clothing is lewd, obscene or offensive in nature.”

According to Kehidi, she and Araujo removed their sweaters after boarding due to a lack of air conditioning on the plane, revealing their crop tops. “We were wearing crop tops… just like a little bit of stomach showing,” Kehidi told an ABC news affiliate. When confronted by a male flight attendant who requested them to “put something on,” Kehidi and Araujo questioned if there was a specific policy against crop tops.

Carla Hager, another passenger seated nearby, corroborated their discomfort with the temperature, indicating that many passengers had to remove their sweaters. “I said, ‘Well, if your body is inappropriate, then so is mine because I also have a crop top under my sweater,’” she said, adding that she took her sweater off in solidarity and was also removed from the flight along with her toddler.

Despite offering to put their sweaters back on, Kehidi, Araujo, and Hager’s toddler were removed from the flight without a refund. They recounted feeling “treated like criminals” throughout the ordeal.

Kehidi and Araujo subsequently spent $1,000 to book a Delta flight to reach New Orleans for Kehidi’s 30th birthday. They are considering legal action against Spirit Airlines. The budget carrier, known for several publicized customer service issues, has yet to release further details pending their investigation.