An American Airlines employee once again enforced the carrier’s non-existent dress code…
In this post:
American Airlines tells Olivia Culpo to cover up
Every so often there’s a viral story about an airline passenger being asked to wear less revealing clothing. In this case it involves a pretty high profile passenger. Former Miss Universe and Sports Illustrated model Olivia Culpo was flying with American Airlines to Los Cabos (SJD) on Thursday, accompanied by her sister and boyfriend.
According to posts on Instagram by her sister, the 29-year-old was called to the gate counter and told she needed to cover up in order to be able to fly. It would appear that Culpo was wearing biker shorts, a sports bra (or halter crop top?), and a long cardigan.
She ultimately agreed to put on her boyfriend’s hoodie in order to be able to travel. Interestingly the sisters met another woman in the gate area who also had what some might consider a “revealing” outfit, in the sense that her midriff was exposed and you could see her curves. That woman allegedly wasn’t asked to change, and was surprised to hear that Culpo was asked to put on more clothes.
Below you can see a video of the Instagram stories.
What is American Airlines’ dress code?
So, what is American Airlines’ dress code? It’s very short:
“Dress appropriately; bare feet or offensive clothing aren’t allowed.”
Culpo didn’t have bare feet, and I don’t think there was anything “offensive” about her clothing. The rules do say to “dress appropriately,” though there’s no further clarification of what that means beyond not having bare feet or offensive clothing.
Personally I think it’s ridiculous that Culpo was asked to cover up. When it comes to conversations about these incidents, I think people often approach it wrong. Some people will say “well people should dress up to fly, and I would never dress that way when flying.”
While I’m not a woman, I probably wouldn’t dress that way either. But I also don’t dictate how other people should dress, and for that matter having to “dress up” is in no way reflected in American’s dress code.
Is what Culpo is wearing any more “offensive” than a man wearing a tank top, shorts, and flip flops on a plane? I’d say it isn’t, yet I’ve never heard of a man being kicked off a plane for that.
Bottom line
An American Airlines gate agent asked Olivia Culpo to cover up prior to a flight yesterday. Once again, agents are left to use their own discretion for American’s incredibly vague (and arguably non-existent) dress code. While I can appreciate that some people would choose to wear more clothes on planes, there’s nothing “offensive” about what she’s wearing — everything that needs to be covered is covered, and she’s headed to a beach destination, after all.
I don’t understand why American can’t either publish a stricter and more concrete dress code (which I’d have no problem with, if it applied equally to all), rather than leaving it to individual gate agents to decide which outfits they’re feeling, and which they aren’t.
What do you make of this incident — should an American Airlines gate agent have asked Culpo to cover up?
Yes, It’s not your bedroom have some respect for other passengers that might not want to get your stuff
Not OMAAT worthy
Huge shout out to airline staff and others having to deal with this beauty queen and her ilk. The staff determined she should cover up - she agreed to abide by their rules when she bought a ticket - just do it. She saw an opportunity for more social media attention and possibly
Maybe she's too familiar with the runway but someone should have told her that there are different runways at the airport
She did this for attention. Girl totally dressed like an S word. I'm glad they asked her to cover up.
And the verdict is... @Lucky you were wrong.
Sad publicity stunt and/or dress appropriate is the ruling.
The tribe has spoken.
disgusting... needs to be in Saudi Arabia so that she learns her lesson , once and for all, about appropriate dress... no one wants to see this
Who?
More importantly, why is this of any interest or concern?
I suppose now we should all be up in arms in allowing people to wear under garments as typical, every-day wear? She's in a bra and spandex shorts. How could that possibly be considered proper attire? You would think she left her home in a rush, mid-dress, or was at the gym, as she was getting dressed.
I'm glad AA had the sense of...
Who?
More importantly, why is this of any interest or concern?
I suppose now we should all be up in arms in allowing people to wear under garments as typical, every-day wear? She's in a bra and spandex shorts. How could that possibly be considered proper attire? You would think she left her home in a rush, mid-dress, or was at the gym, as she was getting dressed.
I'm glad AA had the sense of mind to ensure this person dressed in a reasonable manner, and wasn't allowed on the plane in a bra and spandex shorts. For God's sake, I wear compression shorts and a tank under my gym clothes--they're not the garments I expose to the world.
This just seems like a lazy, and crude individual vying for attention.
Please stop with the pop-up vids, and in all honesty, these D-list celeb posts that most people have no clue about.
She clearly knew what she was wearing and that the long sweater only exacerbated the situation. She needs attention to make money, this is how she gets it. And AA played the bad guy and gave it to her.
I agree that AA needs a better dress code; she shouldn't have been allowed to fly dressed like that but what in the rules is concrete enough to enforce that? What she was wearing was not...
She clearly knew what she was wearing and that the long sweater only exacerbated the situation. She needs attention to make money, this is how she gets it. And AA played the bad guy and gave it to her.
I agree that AA needs a better dress code; she shouldn't have been allowed to fly dressed like that but what in the rules is concrete enough to enforce that? What she was wearing was not even acceptable as workout wear. But until AA fixes the policy they'll keep having problems like this
Totally agree , she was seeking attention, and this blog assisted her.
Okay, everybody go nude? USA social habits are lazy and crude
Former F/A here. PLEASE people, dress as if you may have to evacuate the aircraft. Those slides are REAL rough. Jeans the perfect safe choice. I am quite serious about this. For your own safety. Things can and do go wrong.
Oh for crying out loud- PUT SOME DAMM CLOTHES ON. How stupid. Good for usAAir!
While there may not be a "non-existent" dress code, lingerie is not typically an acceptable outfit in public. As proved once again, COMMON SENSE IS NOT COMMON.
yep she sounds like a 'has been' trying to reinvent herself, obvs not getting enough publicity so poor old AA is in the firing line, just stop flying her around
As a 61-year-old male, the story took me back to when I was in my mid-20's flying first class on a Western Airlines flight (am I dating myself?) I was the first passenger in first class and was wearing the appropriate garb of the day: polo shirt (with collar up, of course!), golf shorts and white Nikes on my feet. Having just taken my seat, an old dinosaur "stewardess" came up to me and asked...
As a 61-year-old male, the story took me back to when I was in my mid-20's flying first class on a Western Airlines flight (am I dating myself?) I was the first passenger in first class and was wearing the appropriate garb of the day: polo shirt (with collar up, of course!), golf shorts and white Nikes on my feet. Having just taken my seat, an old dinosaur "stewardess" came up to me and asked me if that was what I was planning on wearing on the short flight from SJO - LAX. She asked me if I had a long sleeve shirt and some slacks that I could put on! I looked at her, stunned. I didn't want a confrontation, so I went in my overhead bag and found a dress shirt. I put that on over my polo and quietly sat down...my have times changed!!!!
If my seat were next to Olivia's, then I would have been very disappointed in the actions of the airline.
I have never been to LAX and not seen a woman flying in a similar outfit. Ridiculous of an AA gate agent to pick this fight
Not sure who any of them are, but wow do they lack any sense of fashion. Glad that AA called that girl out.
For sure they were correct in not allowing her to wear a bra on a plane. They wouldn't have allowed a 16-year-old or a 60-year-old to wear that, so they should be consistent and not allow "hot" influencers to do so either.
As for the pop-up videos, it seems that everyone immediately closes them. I wonder if Lucky actually has the stats on this. It'd be interesting to know if 99% of people shut them down. They're intrusive and annoying.
So If this had been a 300 lb. woman, the opinions would have been VERY different. Just sayin….
Y'all are insane. They are going to Cabo. Every single person on that flight will be on the beach seeing people in far more revealing clothing within a matter of hours. It's not a pilgrimage flight to Mecca.
Never understood the overreaction to the human body. We can watch murder and extreme violence on TV 24/7 but if nipple were to make an appearance it's the end of the world as we know it. Clutch your pearls and look for the nearest fainting couch...
The difference: I can choose to switch off the TV when the programs contain murder and extreme violence, but I cannot shut my eyes when she walks around in her revealing outfit (without bumping into others when walking).
Oh FFS: she was more covered up than half the women who work out at my gym. It’s no offensive at all. And she’s on her way to Cabo. Everyone should chill.
Stop it with these ridiculous pop up videos. No one wants them.
Ah so I'm not the only one finding these video popups irritating. Just saw a similar post from @Noah. Ive hit X on every single one. Don't want to see them. They cut across the text one is reading.
I don't know how to reach you directly (i cant see an email on your site) but can you stop these annoying video popups that have started on your blog in more recent times. Geez they are so irritating.
Ben, did you expect your readers to know who she is (from the headline)?
Dang...there are some pretty strong opinions here for a non-issue. Lucky's point was clearly regarding the general ambiguity of AA's dress code. I read the article for that purpose and the point was made successfully. I have no idea who this celebrity is, nor care.
This is an unsurprising trend, but why in world is there so much speculation, passion, and negative judgment for the poster or Lucky? No one really talks to people this...
Dang...there are some pretty strong opinions here for a non-issue. Lucky's point was clearly regarding the general ambiguity of AA's dress code. I read the article for that purpose and the point was made successfully. I have no idea who this celebrity is, nor care.
This is an unsurprising trend, but why in world is there so much speculation, passion, and negative judgment for the poster or Lucky? No one really talks to people this way face-to-face, but if you do, that is kind of a bummer. Kindness costs nothing and reaps huge dividends, even if just for oneself. Try it sometime.
I found this a very brief yet informative article on an issue of which I was unaware.
I got one think people dress like skanks so they can get attention especially so called influencers
Geeze, just button up your cardigan and get on the the F'ing plan!! Agreed, it's all for publicity purposes.....
Holy shite, Christian McCaffrey needs to have his head examined for hanging around those two dingbats. Jesus Mary and Joseph put your freakin bathing suit on in Cabo. I hope this is the first and last time I hear about these dopes, Ben!
Agree with other comments on pop ups. It's gotten to be a bit much and makes me visit the site less.
They were absolutely right to ask her to put something on more appropriate than just basic underwear. That outfit was entirely inappropriate. Good for AA to have at least some level of decency.
And yes as others have said - this is likely an attention grab. Everybody wants to be star these days. Of the course the "poor me, look at me..." Whatever.
Have some respect and dress decently when going on a plane.
That was an inappropriate outfit for a flight. Good on the airline!!!!!!
“Her boyfriend”
A.K.A superstar running back Christian McCaffrey!
It is ridiculous what some people think is offensive...and allot has to do with religious upbringing....a clear dress code should be in writing for all to follow...not a decision by a religious zealot ticket agent ...
What the hell is a running superback and who on earth awarded him the title out having a super back?
Seems like an average douche in the video.
Well with that long loose (cardigan?) barely hanging on to her shoulders, basically what I was seeing was a black bra top and black underwear or exercise shorts. I think it was on the skimpy side. I don’t think the airline was so out of line even if it does not have a clear dress code. It wasn’t as if the cardigan actually covered anything except her arms. If she had been wearing a cardigan...
Well with that long loose (cardigan?) barely hanging on to her shoulders, basically what I was seeing was a black bra top and black underwear or exercise shorts. I think it was on the skimpy side. I don’t think the airline was so out of line even if it does not have a clear dress code. It wasn’t as if the cardigan actually covered anything except her arms. If she had been wearing a cardigan in the normal way that people wear cardigans, you would have not seen the entire front part of her body with its minimal exercise or whatever you want to call it clothes. And the way that she resolved the situation by putting on a huge hoodie when all she would have had to do would be to close the cardigan in front was a little ridiculous and designed to demonstrate how put upon she was. I think these celebrities are a little too used to having everything go their own way.
#1 as soon as she wraps the sweater around herself, which you know she will in the frigid cabin, nobody will have anything to whine about.
#2 Don't know who wouldn't appreciate that body but I hope the next time some 300lb nasty lady has her gut hanging out the bottom of her shirt she is forced to change.
Body shaming is rude and discriminatory. Not everyone on the planet is your idea of perfect.
But every time anyone of color is refused boarding, it gets turned into a racism story. Or if the person is overweight, then it becomes a fat shaming story. In the end, it's not really any of that, it's just airline employees being terrible when they have extremely vague rules on their side.
Why is she just wearing underwear? In their conditions of carriage it mentions “ offensive “ clothing, so that’s subjective.
Many Americans, and others, dress offensively every day, as they have no sense of style. I’ve also seen American Airlines cabin crew who looked like they were dragged through a bush.
Why is Lucky posting this nonsense.
because clearly it is getting more clicks than any of his high quality reviews or posts. This is the type of story that gets affiliated links, shows up on search and gets first time or new viewers to the site.
It is unfortunate that Lucky appears to be turning his masterpiece into a buzzfeed, clickbait TMZ blog but the money is clear on these posts.
What's next the Novak Djokovic visa revoked story? I guess this COVID silliness void has everyone scrambling for human lint stories...
Assuming this actually happened, I don't have a problem with it. She looks like she was flying in her underwear.
Amazing. America is buried in pornography, but Puritanism lives and breathes as ever...helping us all to find something offensive in everything.
Makes sense that a guy wrote a story and added commentary. The readers can make up their own minds on whether this is appropriate .
Here's the thing: her clothes may be considered "revealing" by some, but unlike thousands of other pax (every day), the outfit was classy and tidy. And it really wasn't "very" revealing either. Meanwhile, you have passengers on every flight who look like they either: just crawled out of bed, just did drugs, just visited a piercing/tattoo place, just came out of a club, or just didn't care.
Meanwhile, this agent picks on this woman?...
Here's the thing: her clothes may be considered "revealing" by some, but unlike thousands of other pax (every day), the outfit was classy and tidy. And it really wasn't "very" revealing either. Meanwhile, you have passengers on every flight who look like they either: just crawled out of bed, just did drugs, just visited a piercing/tattoo place, just came out of a club, or just didn't care.
Meanwhile, this agent picks on this woman? Seems like selective enforcement to me, probably spurred on by a combination of jealousy and a power trip.
I seriously don't think it was classy. I wouldn't get on an airplane wearing just my underwear. If something happens and the plane has to evacuate, she doesn't have much protection from the slide or wherever the slide leads to. People aren't using common sense. A plane is not a place to make a fashion statement.
Good for AA, at least it wasn't a plus sized woman this time, like the last umpteen times. They're proving that they're equal opportunity prudes.
I do find her bikini dress inappropriate. Would a man be allowed on with just his underwear plus a wide open "cardigan?
These days? Probably, lest the agent be accused of being transphobic.
Absolutely the Gate Agent was correct in asking the passenger to cover up .
Lucky:
I really enjoy your blog and I have for many years. However, the pop up auto-play videos on every single page are tedious and incredibly annoying. Please, please, please stop the auto-play videos. I understand that you need to earn revenue from ads, but the videos do not seem to serve any point other than to be hopelessly annoying.
Best regards,
Noah
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
Put more clothes on! - travel bloggers write how AA is totally unreasonable
Take your clothes off! - Misogyny.
I agree with the AAgent’s call if this actually happened. This comes across as a stunt more than anything else. As for the AA guidelines, they have to be enforced, regardless of the subjectivity involved in determining when the line has been crossed.
I think AA should have a dress code for First Class. I am tired of seeing disgusting commoners dressing like poor gang bangers on a flight. If you want to dress like that, sit in the back or fly Spirit.
Gang bangers got money doe ;)
Are you that insecure, Nige? If you feel like you need to dress up to show off your wealth, you must not be very wealthy.
I agree with Nige. Domestic FIRST CLASS in the United States is a really upscale affair. When I'm on my 2 hour flight to Orlando, I don't want to be surrounded by poorly dressed filth as I enjoy a few glasses of Barefoot Chardonnay and a turkey pastrami sandwich. If you're going to get on the plane wearing Nikes and a track suit, get in the back where you belong!!
Maybe you should fly private if you want everyone in first class to dress like you. Enjoy your fancy wine and sandwich at home.
No idea who she is but the only thing ridiculous here is her outfit
Is there any evidence that AA actually said this? Were any AA employees filmed insisting this? Or are we just treating clout seeking instragram posts as 100% true without verification?
I don’t see how this is really relevant. It feels since the Venture X advertising spam, the quality the blog has gone down substantially. I get there’s a downturn in travel but it’s really poor.
I didn’t know selfie videos qualified for a mask exception. #modelbehavior
I think they would have been within their rights if they had given same treatment to other passenger dressed comparably. Equality. Isn't that what we are striving for? Is this racism if skinny white girl is only one asked to cover up?
Reasonable, as she looks like she's wearing bathing suit or forgot to dress and wearing underwear only. And I don't care who she is.
I honestly think that AA made the correct assessment. I think that her (whoever she is :) ) original outfit was roughly equivalent of me showing up in (shoes and non-offensive) boxer shorts and an open robe :) That said, I wouldn't personally be offended, and I don't expect people to dress up to fly.
Who cares, her nipples are all over the internet.
This is a complete made up story and looking for drama
What's next - a Shawn Mendes story??
This is the TMZ of travel blogs now.
Why do i feel like this is completely made up for attention. She is an influencer and media personality this is what they do to stay relevant. There is no way this actually happened. But good to see its on OneTMZpost at a time almost couldnt read this "blog" because my ad block doesnt seem to block the pop up audio play videos anymore.
I would agree Steve. This doesn't pass the smell taste. Have you seen the way passengers are dressed lately? I've seen women with far skimper clothing and grossly overweight to boot. Both in the premium cabin and Admirals Clubs.
My hunch is that this is a fading D List Celebrity desperately trying to remain on the D List.
Exactly. And with the staff shortage do you really think a gate agent has time right now to do this and enforce it. Im sure there is a video from the terminal that could show this never actually happened.
Why does everyone feel it's okay to body shame? If an overweight passenger purchases a ticket, they have a right to fly - first class or otherwise - whether you like their size or not. You don't see them on here complaining about how they find you offensive.
It's unfair to the gate agent to make him/her judge, jury and executioner.
It's doubly unfair when the "rules" are so ambiguous as to be meaningless.
This exposes the gate agent to a no-win situation and the passenger to humiliation. All unnecessary.
“But I also don’t dictate how other people should dress...” - says the guy who shamed, stalked and surreptitiously photographed a woman wearing a pro-2A tshirt in Charlotte.
Progressive values. Been there, done that (unfortunately).
Ridiculous. As long as she's not fat, it's fine to wear that.
Who gives you the right to decide who has the right to wear anything? Why is it okay for an influencer but not someone who's overweight? Did you grow up with bigoted parents, or did you learn this when you became an adult?
FWIW - She is gorgeous. As far as I care... she can wear as little as she wants.
However...
It is there airline. It is there rules.
AA has been pretty consistent on this.
It is not ridiculous. It is there rules.
Don't like it. Don't fly them.
(I avoid certain foreign airlines because I don't agree with their treatment of workers.)
.250. At least you're above the Mendoza line.
Jerry - I'm right they're with you! LOL
I've never heard of this person.
also - which airport was this? It doesnt say.
I've never even heard of this chic.
There are two bigger stories here: 1) Olivia Culpo is apparently the same sweatshirt size as Christian McCaffrey... and 2) they are flying AA rather than private??
Just because somebody is Miss Universe doesnt mean she has the $$ to fly private. Why would she fly private?
She was just mentioned in a WSJ article the other day about high earners in 2021, and he's under contract for 4 years, $64 million. I think they can afford a charter...
So they can create this fake story and post cust pictures of the sweatshirt to stay relevant. There is no way an AA gate agent went out of their way and told her she couldnt board. But now this person stays in the news and has some amazing #content to post to her instagram and youtube page.
They're the same size if Christian wears his hoodie halfway down his thighs, which seems unlikely.
I know plenty of people who could afford to fly private but choose to fly commercial. Having the money to buy something but choosing to spend it on that thing are very different.
I agree that AA's dress code is way too vague. If it were a law, it would be struck down as violating due process, because it is too vague to be fairly enforced.
Geeezzz! She’s going to Cabo.