Human League singer barred from business class plane lounge for wearing Ugg boots

A singer from British electropop band Human League has hit out after she was barred from a business class plane lounge for wearing Ugg boots.

Joanne Catherall is on tour with the band in Australia, and was waiting for a flight in Melbourne when she was refused admission by Qantas.

Under the airlines' guidelines the sheepskin boot - which it defines as sleepwear - is banned, along with bare feet, flip flops and slippers.

The 55-year-old wrote on Twitter: “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.

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

She later added: “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?”

Qantas replied, telling Ms Catherall: “We endeavour to remain consistent and uphold our Lounge's dress guidelines to all our guests.”

In its domestic lounge dress guidelines, Qantas states: “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 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.”

A Qantas spokeswoman 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."