Teens wearing leggings barred from United flight headed to Minneapolis

United Airlines
Two teenage girls were barred from boarding a United Airlines flight from Denver to Minneapolis because they were wearing leggings. The girls agreed to change their clothing and took a later flight, a United spokesperson said.
Spencer Platt | Getty Images 2015

Two teenage girls were barred by a gate agent from boarding a United Airlines flight from Denver to Minneapolis because they were wearing leggings.

United spokesperson Jonathan Guerin said the girls were not allowed onto the Sunday morning flight because they were traveling under an employee travel pass that includes a dress code.

That dress code bars pass travelers from wearing spandex or lycra pants such as leggings. Guerin says the teenagers agreed to change their clothing and take a later flight.

The airline's actions sparked a backlash on Twitter. Activist Shannon Watts of Denver tweeted that she witnessed Sunday's events and questioned United's decision to police women's clothing.

Guerin says ticketed passengers are not subject to the same dress code and can wear leggings.

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