MIAMI, FL — A woman attempting to fly from Miami to Chicago was denied boarding by Spirit Airlines after staff deemed her shorts “too short”, sparking a viral controversy over dress code enforcement and ending with her sister being arrested for disorderly conduct.
Tanasia Grayer, the passenger at the center of the incident, told CBS News Miami she was stunned when a Spirit gate agent informed her she would not be allowed to board her flight on July 16, citing a violation of the airline’s updated dress code policy.
“They Treated Me Like a Criminal”
Grayer, who was still wearing the same shorts during her interview, said she was caught completely off guard.
“We were getting ready to board, and the lady at the front desk stopped me and said, ‘You’re not getting on a plane like that,’” Grayer said. “I looked at her and said, ‘Like what?’ She said, ‘With those shorts.’”
With her luggage already sent ahead to Chicago, Grayer had no other clothes to change into. The outfit she wore, which included short shorts and a robe, had previously been worn on her flight to Miami without issue.
“They treated me like a real criminal in there,” she added, visibly emotional.
Sister Arrested During Confrontation
The situation escalated when Grayer’s sister, Jessica Kordelewski, intervened in protest. According to police, she was arrested for disorderly conduct at the gate during the dispute.
Grayer says the entire experience has left her disillusioned with the airline — and the city.
“I’m going home, getting on a flight and going home,” she said. “I won’t be back in Miami at all.”
Spirit Airlines Responds, Defends Policy
In a statement to CBS News, Spirit Airlines defended the decision, stating the passenger was not in compliance with its Contract of Carriage and refused to cooperate when asked to change.
“Our records show a Guest was not in compliance… and refused to comply when provided an opportunity to do so,” the statement read. “The Guest and their travel companion were eventually denied boarding after displaying disruptive behavior.”
The company added that its 2025 dress code update, rolled out in January, aligns with similar policies across the airline industry.
Updated 2025 Dress Code Sparks Debate
The new guidelines prohibit:
- See-through clothing
- Exposed private parts (breasts, buttocks, genitals)
- Lewd, obscene or offensive prints or tattoos
- Bare feet
Travelers who saw Grayer’s outfit firsthand told reporters they thought the airline overreacted.
“Honestly, it’s not even bad,” said one flyer. “The fact that she got kicked off the flight for that is pretty crazy.”
Others argued for personal freedom and better clarity in airline rules.
Have you ever been singled out over clothing while flying? Share your travel story and thoughts on dress code policies at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
