The incident took place on-board an American Airlines flight to Miami. Photo / Getty Images
The incident took place on-board an American Airlines flight to Miami. Photo / Getty Images
A doctor has slammed an airline after they allegedly forced her to "cover up" with a blanket because of her "offensive" outfit.
According to Business Insider, Dr Latisha "Tisha" Rowe, a family-medicine specialist, was on a flight to Miami with her son when she was asked to step off the plane by cabin crew.
Taking to social media, Dr Rowe said she was told by staff that her outfit wasn't appropriate for boarding the aircraft and unless she used a blanket she couldn't fly.
"Here is what I was wearing when @AmericanAir asked me to deplane for a talk, at which point I was asked to 'cover up'," she wrote on the social media post.
"When defending my outfit I was threatened with not getting back on the flight unless I walked down the aisle wrapped in a blanket."
Dr Rowe said she was almost at her seat when she was stopped by a flight attendant who asked if Dr Rowe had a jacket.
"I turned, and I looked at my backside, and I kind of gave myself that, you know, girl check," she told Business Insider in an interview.
Here is what i was wearing when @AmericanAir asked me to deplane for a talk. At which point I was asked to “cover up”. When defending my outfit I was threatened with not getting back on the flight unless I walked down the aisle wrapped in a blanket. #notsofriendlyskiespic.twitter.com/AYQNNriLcq
"Growing up, I lived in a very conservative household. Like, if my dad thought my shorts were too short, I was not leaving the house. So that's just something that I've gotten into the habit of doing.
"I have a very curvaceous body, and I put my body in bold colours, so you're going to see it. But it's not vulgar. It's not inappropriate. It's not bad, you know? If you put someone who's a size 2 in the exact same outfit next to me, no one would be bothered," she said.
Humiliated by the exchange, Dr Rowe said the cabin crew found her outfit inappropriate and said she wouldn't be allowed back on the plane unless she found an alternative.
"At this point, I'm not screaming or angry or anything, but I'm defending myself," she said.
"I'm fine with my outfit, like, what's the issue.
"My automatic mummy protective mode started. I'm like, 'How do I fix it?' I don't want to be in this situation. I just, I want this done.
"It just felt like a mean-girls standoff in the hallway at high school because that's the only way you're getting on at this point; as if I'm not a paying customer. I just was embarrassed."
The 'offensive' outfit worn by Dr Rowe on the plane. Photo / Supplied
In a statement to Business Insider, an American Airlines spokesman said they were investigating the situation.
"We were concerned about Dr Rowe's comments, and reached out to her and our team at the Kingston airport to gather more information about what occurred," the statement read.
"Unfortunately, we've been unable to reach Dr Rowe or leave a message at the number provided. We want to personally apologise to Dr Rowe and her son for their experience and have fully refunded their travel.
"We are proud to serve customers of all backgrounds and are committed to providing a positive, safe travel experience for everyone who flies with us."
Harriet Osborne, 31, said she "felt cheap" after the complaint, and while she wasn't wearing a bra, she did have nipple covers on under her top.
Ms Osborne said she had to sleep on the floor at Malaga airport in Spain with her friend before they flew home the next day.
"The crew were horrible and made me feel cheap. This air hostess confronted me in front of the whole plane and said I wasn't allowed on in that top," she said.
"She said to me, 'Oh no, move to the side', and tried to cover me up with my hands.
"She said, 'You're not coming on my plane like that — you need to put a top on'.
"Then she ordered me off the plane, so of course I put a top on. When I tried to get back on she turned to the ground crew and said, 'She's not coming on my plane'.
"I was escorted away from the aircraft. I was in shock. It was so sexist."
