Spirit Airlines updates dress code, tattoo policy for passengers

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Passengers flying on Spirit Airlines can now be removed from a flight if a tattoo or other "body art" is deemed "lewd, obscene, or offensive," according to the company's latest contract of carriage.

The newest version of Spirit's contract of carriage, updated on Wednesday, also includes new language concerning its definition of "inadequately clothed" passengers, which now encompasses travelers wearing "see-through clothing" or showing "exposed breasts, buttocks, or other private parts."

The new rules are listed among over a half-dozen other "Conduct/Condition" requirements of passengers, lest they potentially be barred from an aircraft or removed from a flight.

The previous contract of carriage, undated in October 2024, prohibited offensive or inadequate clothing, but did not specify "body art," an archived version shows.

A representative for Spirit Airlines was not available to comment on the reason for the change, nor whether any recent incidents prompted the updated language.

Other major U.S. airlines, including American, Delta, Southwest and United, have similar clauses in their contracts of carriage regarding clothing deemed to be “offensive,” “lewd” or “obscene.” As of Friday, however, none of their contracts included language that included "tattoos" or "body art" among their grounds for removal.

In other recent news, Spirit recently filed for bankruptcy due to struggles from the pandemic and looming debt payments. The airline tried to merge with JetBlue, but dropped the merger after the Justice Department blocked the deal.