Washington: United Airlines has run into a social media storm after it barred two teenage girls from boarding a flight in Denver because they were wearing leggings.
Another girl who was also wearing leggings was allowed to board the flight from Denver International Airport to Minneapolis after she changed, a witness said.
A United spokesman Jonathan Guerin told the New York Times that the two girls barred from flying “made an adjustment” to their clothing and were waiting for the next flight to Minneapolis. He did not know whether they made it aboard.
The incident was reported on Twitter by Shannon Watts — founder of gun reform group Moms Demand Action — who was a passenger at the airport waiting to board another flight to Mexico.
“She’s forcing them to change or put dresses on over leggings or they can’t board,” she said. “Since when does @united police women’s clothing?”
The airlines defended the decision in a series of tweets. It insisted the girls were flying on passes that require them to keep to a dress code in return for free or discounted travel. “When taking advantage of this benefit, all employees, pass riders are considered representatives of United,” it said.
