BERLIN– A fitness influencer has accused Lufthansa (LH) ground staff of preventing her from boarding a flight from Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) to Austria after describing her athletic outfit as “naked,” sparking widespread discussion about airline dress codes and how they are enforced.
The incident involved German influencer Edda Elisa, who said she was stopped at the boarding gate while wearing a sports bra-style crop top and cycling shorts during a heatwave.
Although she was eventually allowed to board after putting on a zipped hoodie, the encounter has fueled debate over whether airlines should publish clearer passenger dress standards.
Lufthansa Dress Code Rules Explained
According to Edda Elisa, the incident unfolded as she attempted to scan her boarding pass at Berlin Brandenburg Airport. She alleged that a gate agent refused to let her board, telling her that she was “not wearing normal clothes” and describing her appearance as “naked.”
The influencer said she questioned the decision, arguing that she was wearing standard athletic clothing suitable for temperatures approaching 30°C, View from the Wing reported.
She later retrieved a hoodie from her carry-on bag, but claimed staff instructed her to zip it completely before allowing her to proceed onto the aircraft.
After complying with the request, Edda Elisa said she was also blamed for delaying the boarding process. She later shared her account in a video posted on Instagram, where the incident quickly gained significant attention and prompted thousands of comments.
Lufthansa later responded by reiterating that passengers are expected to wear clothing appropriate for public travel.
However, the airline stated that the reported use of the word “naked” does not reflect its customer service standards and confirmed that such incidents are reviewed internally.
The airline also noted that staff members are given discretion when applying its passenger conduct policies.
Passenger Reactions After Boarding Incident
The incident has generated mixed reactions across social media and aviation circles.
Some users argued that airlines have the right to establish and enforce dress codes to maintain a comfortable environment for all passengers. Others criticized the decision, saying athletic clothing has become common travel attire, particularly during periods of extreme summer heat.
Several observers also pointed out that airline dress code policies often rely on broad terms such as “appropriate attire,” leaving room for subjective interpretation by individual employees.
Critics believe that inconsistent enforcement can create confusion for passengers who may be unaware of where the limits are.
Supporters of the influencer also questioned whether similar standards are applied equally to all passengers, arguing that women are more frequently challenged over clothing choices than men.
Airlines And Attire Guidelines Explained
Most commercial airlines reserve the right to deny boarding to passengers whose clothing is considered offensive, inappropriate, or disruptive.
However, many carriers do not publish detailed dress code guidelines, instead relying on general conditions of carriage and staff judgment.
As a result, disputes over passenger attire remain relatively uncommon but occasionally become highly publicized when differing interpretations of acceptable clothing emerge.
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