The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today proposed the largest-ever fines ever against two passengers for alleged unruly behavior.* The fines of $81,950 and $77,272, respectively, are part of the ~$2 million the agency has proposed since January 2022. 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.
“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,” U.S. Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg said when he announced the fines.
The $81,950-fine involves a passenger on a July 7, 2021, American Airlines flight from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, to Charlotte, N.C. The FAA alleges the passenger threatened to hurt the flight attendant that 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.
The $77,272-fine involves a passenger on a July 16, 2021, Delta Air Lines flight from Las Vegas to Atlanta. The FAA alleges the passenger 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.
The FAA’s Zero Tolerance policy against unruly passenger behavior and its public awareness campaign has decreased the rate of unruly incidents by ~60%. But as today’s announcement makes clear, more work remains.
*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 Justice Department today released the following statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland:
“Thirty-four years ago today, 270 people, including 190 Americans, were killed in the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103.
“Today, the Department of Justice joins families and communities in the United States and around the world in remembering the lives taken in this horrific attack.
“For over three decades, the victims’ loved ones have endured enormous grief. During that time, American and Scottish law enforcement have worked tirelessly to identify, find, and bring to justice the perpetrators.
“Most recently, as the Department announced on Dec. 12, that work led to the indictment and arrest of a former Libyan intelligence operative for his alleged role in building the bomb used in the attack. He is currently in U.S. custody and facing charges in the United States.
“Yesterday, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco and I had the opportunity to meet with Dorothy Bain, the Lord Advocate of Scotland, and thank her for the partnership of Scottish law enforcement in this important step to ensure accountability.
“I am also grateful to the generations of Department professionals who have dedicated themselves to this work. I am particularly grateful to the Deputy Attorney General for her tireless efforts, over many years, to seek justice for the victims and their families and to hold accountable those responsible for this attack.
“Today, all of us at the Justice Department reaffirm that no amount of time or distance will stand in the way of our efforts to honor the victims of the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing and to pursue justice on their behalf.”