Dress Code On Flight.

[tomazbodner]

On 5/30/2025 at 4:14 PM, NoshowJones said:

Traveling on an Emirates flight bound for Dubai I was sitting in a window seat and a dark skinned man, maybe Indian, dressed in shorts and a wife beater sat beside me. 

I asked him to put on a shirt, but he obviously did not speak English, so I got up and said "excuse me" and went to find a flight attendant, she was very pleasant as was I.

I then went back to my seat expecting him to be sitting there, but he was gone. I then sat in my seat to be joined by two attractive girls.

My question is why was he not stopped from entering the plane and told to cover up? Is there not a dress code on planes?

Maybe he was moved to first class...

 

A woman in her fifties boarded a crowded flight and immediately felt uneasy about her seat next to a black man. She called over the flight attendant, expressing her discomfort by saying, "I can't sit here next to him." The flight attendant replied, "Let me see if I can find another seat for you."

After checking, the flight attendant returned with an update, saying, "Ma'am, unfortunately, we don’t have any more seats available in economy, but I’ll check with the captain about first class."

About ten minutes later, the flight attendant came back and explained, "The captain confirmed there are no more economy seats, but there is one available in first class. While our policy typically doesn’t allow us to move passengers from economy to first class, the captain feels it’s important to ensure everyone is comfortable. So, we’re happy to offer you the upgrade."

Before the woman could respond, the attendant turned to the man and said, "Sir, would you please gather your belongings? We’d like to move you to the comfort of first class, as the captain wants to make sure you’re not sitting next to someone who isn’t pleasant."

[richard_smith237]

3 hours ago, Grumpy one said:

Just wondering what your thoughts would be on an attractive large breasted woman wearing a vest and no bra be ? 

 

Depends how sweaty she is....   

 

But, you raise a valid point..  to answer your question - dress appropriately, its not difficult.

There are reports of females being denied boarding for dressing as you describe.

 

• USA (Delta, 2024) – DJ Lisa Archbold was temporarily removed from a flight for wearing a loose T-shirt without a bra. She was allowed back on after putting on a jacket.

• Turkey–USA (American Airlines, 2021) – Bodybuilder Deniz Saypinar was told her shorts and crop top were inappropriate. Staff said her outfit offended other passengers.

• Australia (Jetstar, 2021) – Isabelle Eleanore wore a bikini top and was told to cover up with a high-vis vest. She called the incident embarrassing and sexist.

• UK–Spain (Thomas Cook, 2019) – Emily O’Connor was nearly removed for wearing a crop top and high-waisted trousers. Crew claimed her outfit was offensive to others.

• South Africa (FlySafair, 2022) – A young woman in short denim shorts was warned her outfit violated airline dress codes. She complied under protest.

• Thailand (Thai Airways, 2018) – A female traveller wearing a halter top was quietly asked to change before boarding. The airline cited cultural norms and modesty.

• Mexico (Volaris, 2020) – A woman in a tight crop top and leggings was told her outfit was too provocative. The incident sparked debate on social media.

• France (Air France, 2019) – A teenage girl was denied boarding for a low-cut top. Staff said it was not in line with the airline’s family-friendly standards.

• UAE (Emirates, 2017) – A tourist wearing shorts and a sleeveless top was asked to change at the gate. Emirates cited respect for local customs.

• Nigeria (Arik Air, 2016) – A woman in leggings and a fitted shirt was blocked from boarding. Staff claimed her outfit was indecent for public travel.

[J Branche]

Story sounds a little fishy.   Never seen a shirtless person in 12 years of flying all over the world.  A couple times out of FLL seen Southwest say to a passenger "Do you have another shirt to put on".  Say unfortunately you will not be able to join the passengers on this flight unless you changes shirts. This was do to some people finishing work, not showering and going to the airport, usually Friday night. No one wants to be seated next to someone with strong BO.

Spirit would tell some women to put a jacket, sweatshirt or cover up with some outfits.

 

There were two people seated next to you.  Why were they relocated? Possibly to avoid future confrontation.

[richard_smith237]

8 minutes ago, J Branche said:

Story sounds a little fishy.   Never seen a shirtless person in 12 years of flying all over the world.  A couple times out of FLL seen Southwest say to a passenger "Do you have another shirt to put on".  Say unfortunately you will not be able to join the passengers on this flight unless you changes shirts. This was do to some people finishing work, not showering and going to the airport, usually Friday night. No one wants to be seated next to someone with strong BO.

Spirit would tell some women to put a jacket, sweatshirt or cover up with some outfits.

 

There were two people seated next to you.  Why were they relocated? Possibly to avoid future confrontation.

 

I think that’s why the OP made a point of ‘setting the scene’ -  mentioning the destination and guessing the other passenger’s nationality. It wasn’t just about what happened, but about painting a broader picture.

 

In the US, there does seem to be a more conservative approach when it comes to this sort of thing - or maybe it’s just that airline staff feel more empowered and comfortable stepping in when someone’s dressed in a way that’s seen as inappropriate, especially if there’s a political message on the clothing.

 

Someone else mentioned the gender angle - and I agree. You see loads of women in tank tops on flights and no one bats an eye. They’re not usually sweaty or smelly, and in reality, a tank top on a woman is often viewed the same as a t-shirt on a man.

 

I see all sorts on planes - men in shorts and t-shirts, women in tank tops and summer gear - and none of it bothers me or anyone else....

...  But a man in a tank top? It feels like a step too far. Hard to put into words why exactly, but it just comes off as a bit... off. Maybe it’s the sweat factor, or just how exposed it looks in a cramped, shared space like a plane.

 

 

[thailand49]

It is what it is today!  As long as the guy doesn't smell, rude, and taking up my space seat it is what it is!🤣  I'm retired in a good space mentally as long as they don't F with me I'm all good!  🤣

[NoshowJones]

22 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

I think that’s why the OP made a point of ‘setting the scene’ -  mentioning the destination and guessing the other passenger’s nationality. It wasn’t just about what happened, but about painting a broader picture.

 

In the US, there does seem to be a more conservative approach when it comes to this sort of thing - or maybe it’s just that airline staff feel more empowered and comfortable stepping in when someone’s dressed in a way that’s seen as inappropriate, especially if there’s a political message on the clothing.

 

Someone else mentioned the gender angle - and I agree. You see loads of women in tank tops on flights and no one bats an eye. They’re not usually sweaty or smelly, and in reality, a tank top on a woman is often viewed the same as a t-shirt on a man.

 

I see all sorts on planes - men in shorts and t-shirts, women in tank tops and summer gear - and none of it bothers me or anyone else....

...  But a man in a tank top? It feels like a step too far. Hard to put into words why exactly, but it just comes off as a bit... off. Maybe it’s the sweat factor, or just how exposed it looks in a cramped, shared space like a plane.

 

 

"A tank top on a woman is often viewed the same as a t-shirt on a man." There is nothing wrong with a man on a plane wearing a tea shirt, but full length hairy arms brushing up against you on the arm rest????

[EVENKEEL]

Man, the time is drawing near for most posters here to get on with living. Which, means, taking your stingy mitts off the wallet and start flying business. I'm right there myself. If and when I start flying solo I think it'll be time for business class.

[BusyB]

On 5/31/2025 at 8:18 PM, richard_smith237 said:

 

Nothing......  neither would his age, gender, height etc...   

 

.... But if the Op had written an "Old, hairy, lanky Western man" would you have still pee'd your pants a little at the opportunity to cry moral outrage and racism from atop your rickety soapbox?.....  Or is outrage only fashionable when the target ticks your approved victim boxes?

 

The OP used a descriptor. A word. To set a scene. That’s it. But of course, nuance isn’t exactly the strong suit of the perpetually offended.

 

Now...   you can mince back whatever exhausting virtue-signalling hobby you lot are peddling this week – bra-burning, book-banning, or rewriting history with crayons. The rest of us will be over here, in the real world, not tripping over ourselves to be offended by adjectives.

 

Oh dear.

 

The usual boring and predictable hatespew triggered instead of an answer to a simple question. The answer by the way was 'nothing'. It was totally irrelevant to the actual topic. All desperately (and ineffectively) trying to hide behind a pathetic attempt to sound  authoritative.

 

I don't even feel offended it's so ridiculous.

 

But also par for the course on AN nowadays.

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, BusyB said:

On 5/31/2025 at 8:18 PM, richard_smith237 said:

 

Nothing......  neither would his age, gender, height etc...   

 

.... But if the Op had written an "Old, hairy, lanky Western man" would you have still pee'd your pants a little at the opportunity to cry moral outrage and racism from atop your rickety soapbox?.....  Or is outrage only fashionable when the target ticks your approved victim boxes?

 

The OP used a descriptor. A word. To set a scene. That’s it. But of course, nuance isn’t exactly the strong suit of the perpetually offended.

 

Now...   you can mince back whatever exhausting virtue-signalling hobby you lot are peddling this week – bra-burning, book-banning, or rewriting history with crayons. The rest of us will be over here, in the real world, not tripping over ourselves to be offended by adjectives.

Expand  

 

Oh dear.

 

The usual boring and predictable hatespew triggered instead of an answer to a simple question. The answer by the way was 'nothing'. It was totally irrelevant to the actual topic. All desperately (and ineffectively) trying to hide behind a pathetic attempt to sound  authoritative.

 

I don't even feel offended it's so ridiculous.

 

But also par for the course on AN nowadays.

 

Go ahead and shoehorn your faux outrage and imaginary racism into the thread if you must -  all you're really doing is advertising your inability to grasp basic nuance...

 

There was nothing remotely racist in the OP's comments - he was simply setting the scene. If he hadn’t, people would’ve asked where he was flying, if it was a woman, what the other man was wearing, etc - all relevant context, especially if cultural dress enters the conversation. Instead of appreciating that clarity, the usual wokerati pile in with their tired, pathetic virtue-signalling cries of racism. Predictable & Boring. .