United Airlines: 'Your leggings are welcome.' Delta: 'Duh'

United Airlines has released an official statement addressing its recent dress code ban, while Delta, sassy rival airline, is busy trolling.

On Sunday morning, activist Shannon Watts drew attention to the airline's controversial dress code policy on Twitter,  explaining that two girls wearing leggings were told by a United Airlines gate agent that they would not be able to board their flight to Minneapolis unless they changed clothes.

Naturally, Twitter users lost all chill and Delta used the opportunity to its advantage by tweeting a message of leggings acceptance to all. After some serious backlash, United is now assuring customers their "leggings are welcome." 

SEE ALSO: United Airlines bans 2 girls with leggings from flight because they weren't 'properly clothed'

In a statement shared on United's website Monday morning, the airline set out to explain its decision to prevent the girls from boarding.

"We care about the way we present ourselves to you, our customers, as we believe that is part of the experience on board our flights," United wrote.

The airline went on to explain the reason the two girls were scrutinized for their fashion choice is because they were "pass riders," also known as friends or relatives of United employees who receive free or heavily discounted air travel and have a separate dress code they must adhere to. 

"When taking advantage of this benefit, all employees and pass riders are considered representatives of United. And like most companies, we have a dress code that we ask employees and pass riders to follow" the statement read. 

"The passengers this morning were United pass riders and not in compliance with our dress code for company benefit travel. We regularly remind our employees that when they place a family member or friend on a flight for free as a standby passenger, they need to follow our dress code."

In relation to those not flying on standby, the airline said it is perfectly fine to wear your active wear: "To our regular customers, your leggings are welcome."

Meanwhile, Delta used this time to remind passengers that its airline fully condones comfort, and therefore, leggings are always welcome.

United told 9 News that although the dress code for pass riders will remain an "internal policy," it is separate and unrelated to safety-related dress code guidelines on United's website, which state a regular passenger may be refused or removed from a flight if they are "barefoot or not properly clothed."

Mashable reached out to United for additional comment and is awaiting response.

WATCH: Airbus is redefining the future of flying.