Lewd tattoo causes a stir

2006-02-07 11:38

Sydney - Australian airline Jetstar on Tuesday refused to back down over an incident on a flight in Queensland in which a mother-of-two was ordered by cabin crew to cover up a tattoo on her shoulder blade depicting a naked couple engaging in sex.

Flight attendants on the January 26 flight obliged Peta Bull, 36, to wear a jacket until she was off the domestic flight and in the Brisbane airport terminal.

Jetstar spokesperson Bruce Buchanan said the airline had a duty of care to protect passengers from "offensive material" like Bull's tasteless tattoo.

"Normally what we do is just ask that they take it out of view of other passengers," Buchanan told local radio. "It's basically a standard procedure that we have."

Bull wrote to Jetstar last week complaining of the treatment. "I was embarrassed and belittled," she said. "I can't believe they singled me out." -Sapa-dpa

- SAPA