This is the shocking moment two women were allegedly kicked off a for wearing crop tops after a male flight attendant demanded they cover up.
Teresa Araujo, 34, was travelling from Los Angeles to New Orleans with her friend Tara to celebrate a pal's birthday on a plane on October 4. The pair were settled in their seats preparing for the flight when they were approached by a member of staff who allegedly demanded they "cover up."
The friends, who were wearing jeans and crop tops as well as jumpers, admitted they were left stunned by the request especially as the plane was hot, according to Teresa. She said she complied and initially put her jumper back on but as it was hot in the cabin she had to take it off again. It was at this point the male flight attendant allegedly demanded: "Put your coat on, I won't ask you another time".
Teresa pleaded to see the airline's dress code but when the incident soon escalated the flight attendant allegedly threatened: "You'll see what's going to happen." With the plane already on the runway, the aircraft was forced to turn around to drop Teresa and Tara off back at the boarding gate. A female supervisor arrived and asked the women to leave the plane, according to the pair.
Teresa tried to film the moment they were confronted but were told not to record. Other passengers can heard trying to help the women but the supervisor refuses to let them stay.
She took to social media to slam the airline, writing: "My friend and I had a terrible experience on Friday on the flight 387 from Lax to New Orleans with @spiritairlines. We were harassed by a male flight attendant who told us to 'cover up' because we were wearing crop tops.
"Other passengers joined in and tried defending us, but ultimately, a supervisor talked to us and told [us] either we would leave the flight or she would bring [in] the police."
Teresa said she was told that she'd be placed on another flight to New Orleans, but then claimed it didn't happen, leaving her in tears. She said: "It turned out to be all a lie, and later at the airport they explained to us that when someone is kicked off a plane, there is no refund or assignment to another flight.
"The police themselves said that we were right, that we shouldn’t have left the plane, that we should have waited for them to arrive and that we should sue the company."
She was forced to stump up another £764 for a second ticket with a different airline, and wait around five hours at Los Angeles airport.
Spirit Airlines said they are investigating the incident. A spokesperson said: "Our Contract of Carriage, a document all Guests agree to upon making a reservation with us, includes certain clothing standards for all Guests traveling with us.
"We are investigating the matter, and we are in contact with the Guests about their experience."
