FAA Breaks Single-Round Record with New Proposed Fine Announcement

The Federal Aviation Administration will seek over $124,000 from flyers who created disruptions on flights, ranging from drinking alcohol not served to them, to refusing to wear face coverings. Since the beginning of the year, the FAA has proposed over $500,000 in fined against bad passengers.

Since the beginning of 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration has taken a “zero tolerance” policy against flyers who create disruptions while traveling aboard airlines. In their most recent announcement, the agency has set another single-round record for fines. The FAA is proposing over $124,000 in new fines against a group of eight passengers accused of bad behavior.

Accused Violations Range from Not Wearing Face Coverings to Assault

The highest single fine of $22,000 is being proposed against a passenger aboard a Feb. 15 SkyWest Airlines flight between Denver and Gypsum, Colorado. During the flight, the flyer is accused of not wearing their face covering, but also drank alcohol that was not served to them.

The next highest proposal is a $21,000 fine against a Southwest Airlines flyer on a flight bound for Albuquerque from Dallas. Prior to the flight, the passenger is accused of repeatedly refusing to wear a face covering, after reminders from customer service agents, cabin crewmembers and even the pilot. After pushback, the passenger allegedly removed the face covering provided by the airline, which lead the pilot to return the aircraft to the gate. The flyer was escorted off the aircraft, but not before reportedly throwing the mask at a gate supervisor, hitting them in the jaw. The passenger was later cited by Dallas police for assault.

Other fines proposed against badly behaved passengers include:

• $19,000 against a passenger aboard a SkyWest flight from Phoenix to Hermosillo, Mexico. When the pilot made the decision to return to Phoenix due to weather concerns, the flyer allegedly began punching the ceiling of the aircraft. Once confronted, the passenger began demanding the names of airline employees. Upon arrival, the passenger is accused of hitting another passenger in the shoulder, leading to law enforcement escorting them off the aircraft.
• $15,000 against an Alaska Airlines flyer accused of pushing a flight attendant as he was documenting those who were not wearing a face covering.
• $14,000 against an Allegiant Air passenger who reportedly created a disruption by drinking alcohol not served to them, followed by not wearing their face covering and shouting profanities at flight attendants and other passengers.
• $14,000 against an Endeavor Airlines flyer who allegedly refused to wear a face covering and unbucking their seat belt and standing when the fasten seat belt sign was on.
• $10,500 against a Southwest passenger accused of refusing to wear a face covering and continuing to talk on the phone while the aircraft was taxiing for takeoff. When confronted by flight attendants, the passenger allegedly used profane language against them, leading the pilot to return to the gate and escorting them off the flight.
• $9,000 against an Allegiant flyer accused of not wearing a face covering, followed by arguing and attempting to intimidate the flight attendant.

To Date, $563,800 in Penalties Proposed Against Flyers

With the newly proposed penalties, the number of complaints referred to the FAA now exceeds 2,300, with a total of $563,800 in requested fines. Under their policy, some of the incidents may be referred for potential criminal prosecution.