Edda Pilz, a 25-year-old influencer known online as Edda Elisa, was turned away from a Lufthansa flight during a heatwave because her outfit—shorts and a crop top—was deemed too revealing. The incident occurred as temperatures exceeded 30°C, and Pilz was wearing sports clothes to keep cool.
According to Pilz, a Lufthansa employee stopped her at the boarding gate when she attempted to scan her boarding pass. The employee told her, “You cannot board.” When Pilz asked why, the employee responded, “You have nothing on. You are naked.”
Airline's Response and Policy
Lufthansa denied that their staff used those specific words, stating they “do not correspond to our standards.” The airline’s general conditions require passengers to wear clothing “appropriate to the character of a public journey” that does not impair the well-being of fellow travellers from diverse backgrounds. Staff are allowed discretion in enforcement.
Pilz eventually boarded after fetching a jacket and zipping it fully closed. She said, “If there are rules, I accept them. But then show me the rules.” Lufthansa said it takes reports of inconsistencies seriously and reviews such incidents internally.
Broader Context of Airline Dress Codes
Airlines worldwide reserve the right to refuse “offensive” or “inappropriate” attire under their terms of carriage, citing reasons such as preventing passenger conflicts, safety during evacuations, and hygiene. However, definitions of “appropriate” often remain subjective, leaving room for staff judgement.
