TikTok user Sierra Steadman has shared a viral video showing her distress after an alleged run-in with a flight attendant, who she says 'slut shamed' her for her choice of outfit on a plane. It has since been viewed over 8 million times.
Taking to social media and sparking a discussion about the policing of women's bodies in the process, Sierra said she felt "degraded" and "embarrassed" after she was threatened with being kicked off of the flight for wearing a crop top, shorts and hoodie.
In the video, Sierra shows herself looking visibly upset and wearing a protective face mask with the words "When the flight attendant slut shames you in front of the whole plane and threatens to kick you off for what your wearing (sic)" overlaid. She captioned the post: "I've never felt more degraded, ashamed, embarrassed, angry or sad. F ALASKA AIRLINES!!!!!!!"
Many were quick to flood the comment section of the video, one wrote, "THIS HAPPENED TO ME AND MY FRIEND A FEW WEEKS AGO. I'm so sorry I know exactly how terrible that feels." Another added, "As log as you're wearing shoes and clothes she shouldn't care, she's mad because you look better than her!"
However, others noted the airline does have a dress code in place, writing, "When you buy a ticket you actually do agree to the terms and conditions, including a dress code and all that good stuff."
On its official website under a dress code section, Alaska Airlines details that passengers must be "neat and well-groomed" and that "customer service agents will have the final authority to refuse travel for inappropriate attire or appearance" – yet nothing more specific is mentioned with regards as to what might be deemed an inappropriate outfit when flying.
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In a follow-up post in response to a fellow TikToker asking what she was wearing, Sierra showed a photo of her outfit, featuring white high waisted shorts, a black crop top and a grey zip-up hoodie.
According to a report from The Independent, she also alleged that the flight attendant tried to grab her arm and screamed in her face when she tried to walk away from the confrontation over her clothing choice.
"When I tried to walk away from her because she was screaming in my face she grabbed my arm," she wrote. "Outfit aside, there was no reason to physically and verbally assault me and humiliate me, especially when I complied w[ith] her request."
Later, Sierra and her mother, Shannon, said they filed a complaint against Alaska Airlines and shared the response that they received, with a seeming admission of failure on the airline's part.
"Alaska strives to provide exceptional service to our customers. From what you have shared, it is apparent that we have failed," the response read. "You and your daughter should expect nothing less than to be treated with the utmost respect, compassion and care. It is truly disappointing to hear that you both did not feel that way during boarding and during the interactions with our flight attendant."
In a statement to The Mirror, Alaska Airlines said: "We are in contact with Sierra and her family and are committed to finding out what happened and taking all appropriate action.
"It’s our goal to provide caring service to all of our guests. When we don’t live up to that goal, we do we everything we can to make it right."
Cosmopolitan has reached out to Alaska Airlines for further comment.
We hope you're okay, Sierra!
Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
