NATION NOW

United Airlines: Leggings 'more than welcome' for passengers, but not pass riders

Raquel Villanueva
KUSA-TV, Denver
United Airlines is under fire on Twitter after denying girls in leggings entry on a flight.

DENVER — United Airlines has responded to a set of viral tweets that allege the company did not allow young girls wearing leggings to board a flight Sunday morning.

Shannon Watts,founder of the anti-gun violence group Moms Demand Action who was boarding a flight to Mexico, tweeted that the young passengers were forced to change clothes before boarding a flight from Denver to Minneapolis.

United says the passengers not allowed to board were pass riders, who fly under employee pass privileges.  Pass riders are defined as employees or people related to United employees.

According to Jonathan Guerin, a United Airlines spokesperson, yoga pants or leggings are more than welcome for regular paying customers.

No leggings on flights? Celebs blast United for 'terrible' dress code

TODAY IN THE SKYThe fleet and hubs of United Airlines, by the numbers (story continues below)

Pass riders have a stricter dress code to board. The three people involved in the incident did not meet the criteria for pass riders.

Pass riders are considered representatives of United and that extends to the dress code requirements. Casual attire for pass riders is allowed as long as it is in good taste for the environment.

As an example, Guerin says flip flops are not allowed for pass riders. If the passengers were flying as regular customers, they would have been allowed on board.

Guerin says the three people involved in the incident stayed together and were scheduled to be on the next flight, assuming they were properly dressed.