On April 8, local time, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed the largest ever fines ever imposed on two passengers suspected of being unruly, who were fined $81,950 (about 520,000 yuan) and $77,272 (about 490,000 yuan) respectively, as part of a proposed fine of about $2 million announced since January 2022.
"If you're on a plane, don't be a jerk, don't endanger the crew and other passengers. If you do, you will be fined by the FAA. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told the media when he announced the fine.
According to information released by the FAA, the $81,950 fine involved a passenger on a Flight by American Airlines from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas to Charlotte, North Carolina, on July 7, 2021. The FAA said the female passenger threatened to harm flight attendants who helped passengers after they fell. 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 hit one of the flight attendants in the head several times. After she was taped, she spat at the crew and other passengers, hit her head, bit and tried to kick people. Law enforcement arrested her in Charlotte.
The $77,272 fine relates to a passenger on a Delta Air Lines flight from Las Vegas to Atlanta on July 16, 2021. The FAA said the passenger tried to hug and kiss the passenger sitting next to her; walked to the front of the plane during the flight to try to exit; refused to return to her seat; and repeatedly bit another passenger. The crew had to force her to restrain her.
The FAA's "zero tolerance" policy for unruly passenger behavior and its public awareness campaign have reduced the incidence of unruly incidents by nearly 60 percent. But as this announcement makes clear, much more needs to be done.
U.S. federal law prohibits interference with crew or personal attacks, or threats of attacks on crew members or anyone else on board the aircraft. Passengers are subject to civil penalties for such misconduct, which may interfere with or distract the crew from their safety duties, thereby threatening flight safety. In addition, federal law imposes criminal fines and imprisonment on passengers who interfere with the crew's performance of their duties by attacking or intimidating the crew.
The passenger involved had 30 days to respond to the FAA's proposed penalty. They can pay a fine, challenge the fine, request a hearing, or provide documentation proving that they are financially unable to pay the fine.