United Airlines has been swept up in a social media firestorm, being called "Leggings-gate." 

The company is responding to fierce backlash after a series of viral tweets over the weekend that alleged United prohibited two young girls from boarding a flight in Denver because they were wearing leggings. 

A United spokesman says the two girls were special pass travellers, riders who are the friends or relatives of employees who get free or discounted air travel.

The company says those riders have a more formal dress code and the two girls would not have been turned away for wearing leggings had they been paying customers.

But for many that explanation was not good enough and social media lit up with outrage against the policy with some celebrities chiming in.

Actress Patricia Arquette tweeted, "Leggings are business attire for 10 year olds. Their business is being children."

United later put out a statement telling its fliers, leggings are welcome if you're a regular paying customer.

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