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The FAA is showing its teeth by proposing the largest-ever fines against two passengers for alleged unruly behavior aboard airline flights last year.
The fines of $81,950 and $77,272 are part of the approximately $2 million the agency has proposed since Jan. 1.
“If you are on an airplane, don’t be a jerk and don’t endanger the flight crews and fellow passengers. If you do, you will be fined by the FAA,” said U.S. Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg, who announced the fines on “The View,” the ABC morning program that, ironically, is known for some unruly behavior among its assortment of hosts.
But I digress.
The $81,950-fine involves a passenger on a July 7, 2021, American Airlines flight from DFW International Airport to Charlotte, North Carolina.
These incidents sound like something out of the club on a Saturday night.
The FAA alleges that the passenger threatened to hurt the flight attendant who offered help to the passenger after she fell into the aisle. The passenger then pushed the flight attendant aside and tried to open the cabin door.
Two flight attendants tried to restrain the passenger, but she repeatedly hit one of the flight attendants on the head. After the passenger was restrained in flex cuffs, she spit at, headbutted, bit, and tried to kick the crew and other passengers. Law enforcement apprehended her in Charlotte.
On July 16, 2021, the FAA alleges that a passenger on a Delta Air Lines flight from Las Vegas to Atlanta attempted to hug and kiss the passenger seated next to her; walked to the front of the aircraft to try to exit during flight; refused to return to her seat; and bit another passenger multiple times. The crew had to physically restrain her.
That earned her $77,272 in fines.
Flights are already more expensive without the unforced errors.
These passengers — allegedly — forgot that federal law prohibits interfering with aircraft crew or physically assaulting or threatening to physically assault aircraft crew or anyone else on an aircraft. Passengers are subject to civil penalties for such misconduct, which can threaten the safety of the flight by disrupting or distracting cabin crew from their safety duties. Additionally, federal law provides for criminal fines and imprisonment of passengers who interfere with the performance of a crewmember’s duties by assaulting or intimidating that crewmember.
The passengers have 30 days after receiving the FAA’s letter to respond to the agency. The FAA does not identify passengers against whom it proposes civil penalties.
Despite these two examples, the FAA credits its zero tolerance policy and public awareness campaign has decreased the rate of unruly incidents by nearly 60%.