DRESS CODES SHORT ON ANSWERS

A SINGLE fashion faux pas is enough to get you a stern word on a flight, but dress codes for Australia’s airlines vary from carrier to carrier. Some have none at all. The Bulletin’s story on Gold Coast woman Shoshana Strykert yesterday polarised opinion on goldcoastbulletin.com.au and news sites.

Ms Strykert was asked to cover up by a flight attendant because of her midriff top while on a Jetstar flight to Brisbane.

Despite the broad reaction and subsequent apology, Jetstar’s conditions of carriage do not list a dress code for passengers on its website. The wearing of footwear is all that is specified.

Tigerair has minimum dress standards which specify that shorts/pants and skirts must cover the “bottom half”.

Thongs and singlets are acceptable but offensive language or symbols are not.

Virgin Australia lists similar minimum requirements.

Qantas, which owns Jetstar, does not list a dress code for passengers. However, those visiting the lounge are restricted to a smart casual dress code.

A dress code was also unavailable for Scoot airlines.

One Woman Project founder Madeline Prince said the lack of clear rules could lead to unnecessary policing. “It really is an issue of who has the right to say what is and isn’t appropriate,” she said.

Ms Prince commended Ms Strykert for calling out the airline on the issue.

“It is always tough for people like her to speak out.”