Disruptive Passengers Hit with Record FAA Fines

On April 8, the Federal Aviation Administration announced its intention to impose the highest fines to date for passengers who disturb flights, following two incidents from last summer.

The FAA proposed a civil penalty of $81,950 against a passenger who assaulted a flight attendant, attempted to open a cabin door, and headbutted, spat at, and tried to kick crew members and fellow passengers even after being placed in flexible handcuffs.

This incident took place on an American Airlines flight in July. The FAA reported that the passenger was arrested upon landing in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The FAA is pursuing a $77,272 fine against a woman who attempted to open a cabin door mid-flight and bit another passenger multiple times before being subdued by the crew on a Delta Air Lines flight from Las Vegas to Atlanta last July.

The identities of both individuals remain undisclosed. They have 30 days to contest the allegations.

According to the FAA, these fines are part of nearly $2 million in proposed penalties announced since January 1. Airlines have reported a significant increase in incidents since early 2021, with over 1,000 occurrences this year alone, mostly involving passengers refusing to wear face masks.