FAA wants to fine JetBlue passenger more than $14,500 for alleged mask refusal, alcohol violation
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
In recent months, the FAA promised stricter enforcement and tougher penalties for passengers who refuse to wear masks, harass other passengers, or otherwise disrupt flights.
On Friday, the agency followed up on its threats.
The FAA issued a proposed fine of $14,500 against a passenger who is alleged to have disrupted a JetBlue flight just before Christmas.
According to the FAA, the passenger “crowded the traveler sitting next to him” on the Dec. 23 flight from New York JFK to the Dominican Republic, while shouting and continuously pulling his mask down even though flight attendants instructed him to wear it several times.
You can view the FAA’s enforcement letter to the passenger at the bottom of this article.
JetBlue, like most U.S. airlines, requires all passengers traveling on board to wear face masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government began to require masks to be worn on planes and other forms of mass transit in January.
Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free new biweekly Aviation newsletter!
The passenger was also allegedly drinking alcohol he brought on board with him — which is illegal under FAA regulations — and ignored the flight attendants when they told him to stop.
Eventually, the passenger was issued a formal “Notice to Cease Illegal and Objectionable Behavior,” and the captain decided to return to JFK to have the unruly person removed from the flight.
Although mask-use was not federally mandated at the time, interfering with or disregarding instructions from a flight crew member is prohibited.
Airlines and flight attendants have called for the federal government to step up enforcement of mask requirements several times — they doubled-down on calls after a number of disorderly incidents on flights in the lead-up to and aftermath of the attack on the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6.
“We’re not screwing around here — you just can’t with safety and health,” Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, told TPG. Nelson has repeatedly called for backup from the federal government in dealing with mask violators.
More: CDC now recommends double-masking: TPG’s 9 favorite face masks and where to buy them
“Kudos to the FAA for backing up words with action,” she added. “This backs up the crew and relays to all other passengers that we’re serious about keeping them safe. Sit back, relax, and wear your mask!” The AFA represents flight attendants at 17 airlines, JetBlue cabin crew are represented by a different union.
The passenger has 30 days to respond to the FAA enforcement letter, which levies a civil penalty. The response can involve an appeal, but there is no guarantee of the fine being changed. It was not immediately clear whether the passenger also faced criminal charges, although the plane was met by Port Authority Police when it landed.
Redacted 2021EA0210 by David Slotnick
Featured photo by Craig Warga/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
WELCOME OFFER: 80,000 Points
TPG'S BONUS VALUATION*: $1,650
CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 2X points on all travel and dining, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners
*Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. View our latest valuations here.
- Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Plus earn up to $50 in statement credits towards grocery store purchases within your first year of account opening.
- Earn 2X points on dining including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 80,000 points are worth $1,000 toward travel.
- With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories.
- Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12 for a minimum of one year with DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get up to $60 back on an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership through 12/31/2021, and get full access to their workout library through the Peloton app, including cardio, running, strength, yoga, and more. Take classes using a phone, tablet, or TV. No fitness equipment is required.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.