Passenger Kicked Off Spirit Airlines Flight After Being Dress Coded For Controversial Hoodie
Which side of the debate are you on?
Grusho Anna | Shutterstock An incident on a Spirit Airlines flight has gained attention after a passenger was escorted off for violation of the airline’s dress code. The controversial garment in question: a hoodie. Considered by most a staple when traveling, the issue wasn't so much what he was wearing but
The video was captured by another passenger and was shared on social media by the New York Post. This occurrence has brought a debate about airline dress codes, personal expression, and the limits of authority in public spaces.
A passenger was kicked off a Spirit Airlines flight for wearing a band hoodie with a controversial slogan on it.
It's hard to imagine what could have sparked a dress code violation on a flight. Other than wearing your undergarments and nothing else, it almost seems like the most difficult way to cause a ruckus when traveling.
Turns out, the hoodie in question may have just been misunderstood, well that, and it was probably not the best choice on the passenger's part. Printed on the hoodie was “Fvck Hate World Tour” from the popular brand FWUH. It was meant to serve as an anti-hate message. Unfortunately, even when the passenger was wearing the hoodie with good intentions, it gained the attention of the flight crew and security personnel.
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The video captured the interaction between the passenger and Spirit Airline security. The passenger could be heard questioning the decision and asking for the security personnel's identification. He repeatedly insisted he wanted the security officer’s name, most likely to report the incident. They wouldn't budge, however, and told him they would "take care of it outside."
Every airline has its own set of rules for flying, including dress codes.
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It is not unusual for airlines to impose dress codes for their passengers, with some being more relaxed than others when it comes to what passengers can wear on flights. The reason behind this is to uphold a certain reputation, professionalism, and comfort to all passengers.
According to an updated terms of service document dated January 22, 2025, " A guest shall not be permitted to board the aircraft or may be required to leave an aircraft if that guest: is barefoot or inadequately clothed (i.e., see-through clothing; not
adequately covered; exposed breasts, buttocks, or other private parts), or whose clothing or article, including body art, is lewd, obscene, or offensive in nature; or has an offensive odor unless caused by a qualified disability."
At first glance, the clause seems reasonable, but when you think about it, it's written with such broad language that the terms "lewd, obscene," and "offensive" need to be interpreted by airline staff. That means, if it had been a different flight crew, it's highly probable the hoodie wouldn't have caused the incident. That's what inevitably caused the greater debate — the fine line between enforcing a dress code and respecting a passenger’s right to personal expression.
The controversy surrounding dress codes isn't new. Airlines have faced backlash for restricting what passengers can wear, particularly when it involves items deemed "controversial" or "disruptive." In this case, if the hoodie didn’t have vulgar language, the passenger most likely would not have been kicked off his flight due to the airline wanting to maintain its “family-friendly” reputation. In this case, the hoodie became a focal point for larger discussions about what constitutes appropriate attire and who gets to decide.
The public's outrage was more about how the passenger was treated and less about the airline's dress code.
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The video of the incident quickly gained attention on social media, with many viewers expressing sympathy for the passenger’s frustration and questioning the airline’s actions. However, others also agreed with the airline’s dress code and understood their reasoning.
Ultimately, critics of Spirit Airlines argued that the situation was handled in an unnecessarily harsh manner, especially when the passenger was simply asking for clarification and to be treated fairly but was met with resistance. It most likely could have been resolved if he was asked to remove the garment, but we certainly weren't privy to the entire exchange.
Harsh or not, airlines are private entities, and they can choose to enforce dress codes. The public may be unhappy with their choices, but there are other airlines with different policies. If anything, this is a reminder to read airline policies before booking a ticket or, at the very least, before boarding a flight.
Erika Ryan is a writer working on her bachelor's degree in Journalism. She is based in Florida and covers relationships, psychology, self-help, and human interest topics.