Saudi Arabian Airlines passenger dress code: Airline refuses to fly women who show arms or legs

But IATA has denied those claims. "Reports in the media that IATA issues guidelines on dress code are incorrect. Dress code policy is entirely at the discretion of the airline," a spokesperson for IATA said.​

Saudia states that it "takes all the measures it possibly can to maximise passengers' comfort and convenience" and its website advises passengers to "wear comfortable clothes when you travel. Tight-fitting clothes may naturally cause some discomfort and it is advisable to wear loose-fitting clothes instead."

Saudi Arabian Airlines, which launched more than 70 years ago, operates flights from London Heathrow to Jeddah, Riyadh and Yanbu. Earlier this year, it was named the 'World's Most Improved Airline' at Skytrax's annual World Airline Awards, ranked 51st (up from 82nd last year) among the world's best airlines.

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The airline previously came under fire in 2015, when it denied claims that it was considering enforcing a gender split on its flights after it reportedly received complaints from male passengers who were unhappy about other men sitting next to their wives and female family members, and a complaint about a flight attendant being too 'flirty'.

"We would like to emphasise that no Saudia official has made any statement on gender segregation," the airline said in an official statement at the time.

The dress code has sparked debate on social media, with mixed responses, including strong criticism, including one user on Twitter who posted "Passengers to be subjected to Islamic air control? We want to travel, not be subjugated by religion". Another user disagreed however, hailing the dress code as a "good step indeed".

"#SaudiaAirlines enforcing a dress code?!? Wow you'd never get that in somewhere like #France #Women can wear whatever they want...," one user posted, while another added: "Nudity does not cause me any offence and/or discomfort so is that acceptable?"

Saudi Arabia, which adheres to tenets of Islamic law, dictates a strict dress code for people in the country. Women in Saudi Arabia, including foreigners, are required to wear an abaya (a long black cloak) that covers the entire body, except for the hands and face, in public, while men are expected to dress conservatively. Men wear a thobe (a traditional dress for men) and a headdress in public.

This isn't the first time that an airline has attempted to impose a dress code on passengers. Earlier this year, US carrier United Airlines made headlines after they barred two girls from boarding a plane because they were wearing leggings.

Twitter users accused the company of "policing" women's clothing but United insisted they were simply enforcing an existing policy on dress codes for people, such as the girls, who were travelling on "buddy passes" that allow discounted travel for friends and family of employees.

Last year, Air France stewardesses were furious after being told to wear headscarves in Tehran, the capital of the Iran, to cover their hair once they disembarked.

While most airlines don't impose passenger dress codes but for safety reasons during emergency evacuations, passengers who aren't wearing shoes can be refused boarding. Passengers can also be refused boarding if they are deemed to not be "properly clothed" or wearing clothes thought to be offensive to fellow passengers. Earlier this May, a group of women travelling to Magaluf on a hen do was removed from a Jet2 flight for reportedly wearing t-shirts that read "B*****s on tour".

Travellers should visit the Smartraveller.gov.au website for the latest travel advice for travel to Saudi Arabia.

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