Aussie influencer recalls horror of being ‘body shamed’ after Virgin Australia staff told her to zip up her jacket before boarding: ‘Is it because I’ve got big boobs?’
A fitness influencer has accused Virgin Australia of body-shaming her after a staff member ordered her to ‘zip up’ her jacket to hide her cleavage before boarding a flight.
Caitlin Lyndon claimed she was targeted by airline staff while flying from Brisbane to Melbourne earlier this month.
She believed that staff had singled her out because she had a large bust, rather than simply following dress code procedure.
Ms Lyndon was wearing a sports bra and a zip-up jacket over the top.
Both she and her friend, who was wearing the same outfit, had left their jackets undone while lining up to board the plane.
However, only Ms Lyndon was told by staff to zip the jacket up as she was showing too much skin, which left her feeling ‘body shamed’ and ’embarrassed’.
She asked the gate worker if it was because she has ‘big boobs’ but claimed she only received a vague reply.
‘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.
Caitlin Lyndon (left) was told to zip up her jacket to board a Virgin flight from Brisbane to Melbourne. Her friend (right), wearing the same outfit, was left alone
Ms Lyndon (above) called out the airline for ‘body shaming’ her because she has ‘big boobs’
Already emotional after visiting her sick grandmother, Ms Lyndon was looking forward to a peaceful trip home to Melbourne.
Instead, she was made to feel ‘humiliated and isolated’.
‘Heading to the airport to get discriminated against by an airline that raves about equality wasn’t the ending I expected to my day,’ Ms Lyndon said.
‘Bullying and discrimination on any level is unacceptable and illegal.
‘No woman, no person, should be subjected to this.’
Virgin Australia told Daily Mail the airline had reached out to Ms Lyndon to apologise.
‘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.
Ms Lyndon shared a video (above) calling out the airline
Virgin Australia said it had apologised to Ms Lyndon while the fitness influencer said she’d only received a social media message
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Was Caitlin’s outfit appropriate?
‘We take the concerns raised by the guest seriously.’
However, Ms Lyndon refuted Virgin Australia’s claim and told Daily Mail that she only received an ‘insincere’ message on social media from the airline.
Her legal team has contacted the airline to demand a formal apology.
Ms Lyndon also pointed out that she and her friend had worn gym wear on their flight to Brisbane and weren’t ordered to cover up.
Nor did cabin crew on the plane make any demands.
Virgin Australia lists three dress code rules on its website.
‘Footwear: Shoes or thongs for anyone who can walk. Bottoms: Shorts, skirt, or pants that cover your lower body. Top: A shirt or singlet,’ it states.
‘Clothing with offensive language or symbols isn’t allowed.
‘If you don’t meet these requirements, you may need to change before you fly.’
The rule makes no mention of gym wear or sports bras.
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