"Too much skin": Woman forced to change before takeoff
A young woman was left embarrassed and confused after she claimed a Virgin Flight staff member approached her before she boarded her flight, telling her she was showing “too much skin”.
Catherine Bampton, 23, said she was waiting to board her flight VA1447 from Adelaide to the Gold Coast on Wednesday morning, when she said she was approached by a staff member.
The Gold Coast resident said she was “publicly embarrassed” by the female staff member.
“She told me in front of everyone that the pilot was refusing for me to board the plane because of the clothes I was wearing,” Miss Bampton from Palm Beach said.
“I was in so much shock and was so confused because my clothes weren’t revealing.”
Miss Bampton then claimed that the crew member asked if she had another top to put on and was asked to change into it.
“It was so embarrassing and humiliating,” she said.
“Everyone else waiting to board the plane was sitting there watching … and you could see they were staring in shock with their mouths open.”
The university student went on to ask the staff member what was wrong with her previous attire.
According to Miss Bampton, the woman responded with: “The pilot doesn't like people showing too much skin.”
“I asked her if you couldn’t show your arms and back and she didn’t know what to respond.”
Miss Bampton was wearing sneakers with high-waisted trousers and a high-necked halter top at the time.
She is now wanting an apology from the pilot and wants the airline to be aware of the situation.
“I don't want them to do it to other people because they shouldn’t be allowed to do that.”
Virgin Australia’s website states that there are minimum dress requirements that travellers must meet.
However, the website states that wearing singlets is acceptable.
Virgin Australia states: “The dress guidelines on our aircraft are similar to other airlines here in Australia and the vast majority of those who fly with us meet or exceed them,” a Virgin Australia Group spokesman said.
“As Australia’s most loved airline, it’s always been our intention that those who travel with Virgin Australia feel welcome and have a comfortable journey.
“We are undertaking a review of the incident, and while no formal complaint has been received by the guest as yet, we’ve proactively tried to reach out to better understand what happened.”