Fitness influencer Caitlin Lyndon has alleged that Virgin Australia body-shamed her after cabin crew demanded she “zip up” her jacket to conceal her cleavage before boarding a flight. The incident occurred as she travelled from Brisbane to Melbourne earlier this month.
Ms Lyndon insisted that staff singled her out because of her larger bust, rather than simply enforcing standard dress code policies. She was wearing a sports bra with a zip-up jacket layered on top. Both she and her friend, who was dressed identically, had kept their jackets open while queuing to board the aircraft.
Yet only Ms Lyndon was instructed by crew to fasten her jacket, as she was displaying too much flesh, leaving her feeling “body shamed” and “mortified”.
Questioning the gate worker
She asked the gate worker whether it was because she had “big boobs”, but claimed she received only a non-committal response. “If they did this to me, it makes you wonder how many other people they have singled out but didn't have the confidence to speak up,” Ms Lyndon told Daily Mail.
Already upset following a visit to her sick grandmother, Ms Lyndon had been anticipating a peaceful journey back to Melbourne. Instead, she was left feeling “humiliated and isolated”.
Airline response
A Virgin Australia spokesperson said the airline had reached out to Ms Lyndon to offer an apology. “We are in direct contact with the customer and have apologised for her experience,” a spokesperson said. “Virgin Australia is committed to treating all guests fairly and respectfully. We take the concerns raised by the guest seriously.”
However, Ms Lyndon disputed Virgin Australia's claims and told the Daily Mail that she had only received an “insincere” message on social media from the airline. Her legal representatives have approached the airline demanding a formal apology.
Ms Lyndon also highlighted that she and her companion had worn gym attire on their flight to Brisbane without being instructed to cover up. Neither did cabin crew aboard the aircraft make any such demands. Virgin Australia outlines three dress code requirements on its website. The policy makes no reference to gym attire or sports bras.
