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Reminder: You don't have to be on the 'No Fly List' to receive an airline ban

Jan. 11, 2021
4 min read
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Reminder: You don't have to be on the 'No Fly List' to receive an airline ban
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Following last week's attack on the U.S. Capitol, videos have been circulating of travelers acting out — some possibly related to individuals coming from or going to Washington while others may be entirely unrelated.

Among the videos gaining steam, one clip of a man sobbing after being removed from a Delta flight has become especially popular on Twitter. As of this writing, it has nearly 19 million views on that platform alone — perhaps due to the poster suggesting this traveler ended up on the "No Fly List."

Officially, the No Fly List is managed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) — specifically, a division called the Terrorist Screening Center. While some of the individuals who participated in last week's riots could eventually find their names on that list, that most likely isn't what's happening here.

Notably, travelers on the No Fly List wouldn't be issued a boarding pass, and the man in the video above appears to be walking through the departures area of Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) — he's already passed through the TSA checkpoint, most likely using a valid boarding pass.

Instead, what seems more likely is that another transgression was at the heart of the disturbance.

While the dialogue's a bit hard to follow, the man can be heard saying "they kicked me off the plane." Next, a person who appears to be a passenger wearing red jacket approaches, explaining "I had been kicked off Delta earlier."

While Delta was unable to comment on the travelers in this video, the airline clarified that if a passenger is removed from a flight, the decision is made based solely on how they behave at the airport or onboard. As the airline explained:



Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our people and customers. Decisions made to remove unruly customers on flights are based solely on behavior that affects the safety and security of our operation including noncompliance with instruction from flight crews.

Though it's unclear what happened with the passenger in the video, there are a number of things that could cause problems for a passenger.

Fighting with another passenger is certainly cause for a ban, as is refusing to follow crew member instructions — a big no-no in the industry.

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And if you assault another passenger or a crew member, you could also face huge fines and serious jail time, as the FAA reminded during the weekend:

As for airline bans, countless travelers have had their privileges revoked during the pandemic, including thousands who have been banned for refusing to wear a face covering in the airport or while onboard a flight.

Here's how the numbers break down to date:

  • Alaska: 302
  • Allegiant: 15
  • Delta: 700+
  • Frontier: 500+
  • Hawaiian: 56
  • JetBlue: 114
  • Spirit: 432
  • United: 615

And there are likely even more — American and Southwest are unable to confirm the number of customers they’ve banned, and Sun Country did not immediately respond to TPG’s request.

Long story short: It doesn't take landing on an official No Fly List to find yourself left behind at the airport. It's best to do everything in your power to be a model citizen in the sky if you don't want to risk becoming grounded.

This includes being mindful of airline procedures around face coverings and masks, avoiding any negative interactions with other passengers, and, most of all, be sure to follow all crew member instructions, regardless of how you feel about the policies that flight attendants, pilots and other airline employees are compelled to enforce.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.