Human League singer is refused entry to business class lounge at Melbourne airport because of her UGG BOOTS

  • Joanne Catherall, 55, outraged after being denied access to special area today
  • She took to Twitter to bemoan her exclusion simply for wearing her Ugg boots
  • But Qantas refused to back down, replying: 'We endeavour to remain consistent'
  • Airline's dress code bans flip-flops, 'beachwear', 'sleepwear' and dirty clothes

Human League singer Joanne Catherall has been refused entry to an airport's business class lounge because she was wearing Ugg boots.

The 55-year-old synth pop star was outraged after being denied access to the special area today while travelling to Sydney for a gig as part of the band's Australian tour.

She took to Twitter to bemoan her exclusion simply for wearing the comfortable sheepskin boots which originated in the Antipodes. 

'Denied access @Qantas business class lounge in @Melair Melbourne Airport apparently Ugg (Australia) Boots are deemed sleepwear by the lady working there although no problem in any of the other lounges so far,' she wrote.

The 55-year-old synth pop star (left) was outraged after being denied access to the special area today while travelling to Sydney for a gig as part of the band's Australian tour
She took to Twitter to bemoan her exclusion simply for wearing the comfortable sheepskin boots which originated in the Antipodes

The 55-year-old synth pop star (left) was outraged after being denied access to the special area today while travelling to Sydney for a gig as part of the band's Australian tour. She took to Twitter to bemoan her exclusion simply for wearing the comfortable sheepskin boots (right) which originated in the Antipodes

'Denied access @Qantas business class lounge in @Melair Melbourne Airport apparently Ugg (Australia) Boots are deemed sleepwear by the lady working there although no problem in any of the other lounges so far,' she wrote. But Qantas quickly replied 

'Denied access @Qantas business class lounge in @Melair Melbourne Airport apparently Ugg (Australia) Boots are deemed sleepwear by the lady working there although no problem in any of the other lounges so far,' she wrote. But Qantas quickly replied 

'Helpfully she suggested I go to one of the shops & purchase some shoes.' 

But that wasn't the end of it, with Qantas hitting back 14 minutes later. 

The airline tweeted: 'Hi Joanne, we endeavour to remain consistent and uphold our Lounge's dress guidelines to all our guests,' adding a link to the company's sartorial code. 

The guideline explained that alongside 'thongs' (flip-flops) and unclean clothing, Ugg boots were deemed unacceptable. 

Joanne, however, was still not amused.

She replied: 'Why would an @UGG boot I wear outdoors in all weathers be classed as sleepwear in @Qantas lounge but nowhere else that I have ever been on this earth ?'

In a curt response, Qantas simply wrote: 'Hi Joanne, we don't accept them in our lounges as you can see on the dress-guidelines'. 

In a curt final response, Qantas simply wrote: 'Hi Joanne, we don't accept them in our lounges as you can see on the dress-guidelines'. Pictured: A file image of a Qantas plane 

In a curt final response, Qantas simply wrote: 'Hi Joanne, we don't accept them in our lounges as you can see on the dress-guidelines'. Pictured: A file image of a Qantas plane 

In its dress guide, the airline tells passengers its 'lounges are a place where you can sit back and relax before your flight'. 

But it adds: 'To ensure an enjoyable experience when you're visiting our domestic Qantas Clubs and Business Lounges in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, we ask that you follow our smart casual dress guidelines.  

'Our team will decline entry if some items of clothing are too casual or inappropriate. This includes, but is not limited to: 

  • Thongs (flip-flops) and bare feet
  • Head to toe gym wear
  • Beachwear (including board shorts)
  • Sleepwear (including UGG Boots and slippers)
  • Clothing featuring offensive images or slogans
  • Revealing, unclean or torn clothing.' 


In a statement to the Independent about the incident, Qantas said: 'We completely understand that no one likes being declined at the door but we've always had smart casual dress standards for our lounges, which are similar for those in place for most clubs and restaurants.

'Over the past couple of years we have had clear feedback from lounge members that they wanted these existing guidelines to be applied more rigorously.'  

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