A German fitness influencer, Edda Elisa, was reportedly denied boarding a Lufthansa flight due to her athleisure outfit during a severe heatwave in Europe. Elisa, who has over 641,000 followers on social media, detailed the incident on her platforms, stating that a gate agent told her she was "naked" and could not board without additional clothing. The incident occurred as Europe experienced record-breaking temperatures.
According to Elisa's account, she was wearing a sports bra and biker shorts, which she deemed appropriate for the nearly 90-degree Fahrenheit weather. She claims the gate agent insisted she put something over her outfit and then told her to close the added layer, also stating that she was holding up the flight. Elisa expressed frustration, asserting she had never encountered an airline dress code before.
Lufthansa representatives stated that passengers are expected to wear clothing "appropriate to the character of a public journey" and that such attire should not negatively impact the well-being of other passengers. The airline also reportedly responded to Elisa's claims by stating that the gate agent's alleged use of the word "naked" does not align with their standards and would be reviewed internally.
Flight attendants have previously advised passengers about the potential safety risks of wearing revealing clothing on flights. Barbara Bacilieri, an in-flight expert, noted that during an emergency evacuation, exposed skin could lead to burns and scrapes when sliding down an inflatable ramp.