A TikToker recently shared a distressing experience she encountered on a flight with Pacific Air. In a viral video, Mia Taylor recounted how she was removed from her flight from Seattle to Fairbanks, Alaska, not due to disruptive behavior, but because of her attire. Taylor claimed the incident stemmed from her wearing a sports bra and crop top, which she believes highlights a broader issue of body shaming.
“This is the outfit that got me kicked off the flight,” Taylor stated in her TikTok video, showcasing her bike shorts and crop top (and mask!). It’s difficult to understand what could be deemed offensive about her outfit. During the flight, she explained to a news outlet that she had taken off her crop top because she felt unwell and was sitting in shorts and a sports bra. A flight attendant later approached her and asked her to put her shirt back on, which she complied with. However, she was approached again and told that her exposed midriff was problematic.
The flight attendant claimed Taylor was violating the airline’s dress code, which, notably, does not specify any restrictions on midriffs. According to Pacific Air, the dress code simply requires a neat appearance and prohibits soiled or tattered clothing and bare feet. Ultimately, Taylor was escorted off the flight while her young child looked on. She later posted another video from a room where airport security questioned her; an officer was heard saying they were trying to clarify the situation, emphasizing that no crime had been committed.
Taylor, along with many supporters, believes the incident was less about the dress code and more about body image. “I felt shamed for being a plus-size woman dressed the way I was,” she told a news outlet. “It’s absurd to enforce a dress code that doesn’t exist.” She felt harassed by the staff’s focus on her outfit and described the experience as both frightening and humiliating.
In response to the situation, Pacific Air issued an apology and refunded her ticket. Initially, they offered a discount code for future travel, which she found rather insulting given the circumstances. Following backlash, the airline revised their offer to include complimentary tickets. Taylor expressed that this felt more like a “slap in the face” than a sincere apology.
Pacific Air stated, “We are in contact with the guest and are committed to understanding what occurred and taking the necessary steps. Our goal is to provide compassionate service to all our customers.” Taylor shared that the airline is being cautious in their communications as they work towards a resolution. They seem to acknowledge that her outfit was appropriate, though their wording remains careful.
If Pacific Air truly aims to rectify this situation, they need to reconsider their approach to passenger attire and body image. Many commenters pointed out that a smaller person in the same outfit likely wouldn’t have faced any scrutiny. No one wants to go viral for such an embarrassing incident, but hopefully, this situation will prompt airlines to reevaluate how they treat plus-size travelers. For more on this topic, you can check out our other blog post on policy change here.
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Summary:
Mia Taylor was removed from her Pacific Air flight due to her crop top and sports bra, leading her to accuse the airline of body shaming. Despite the airline’s dress code not prohibiting midriffs, she felt targeted for her body size. The situation sparked discussions about how airlines treat plus-size passengers, prompting Taylor to call for a reassessment of policies.