FAA cracks down on abusive, maskless flyers with fines up to $32,750
Ignoring instructions from a flight attendant on a commercial flight is a bad idea. Interfering with a flight attendant is a worse idea. Assaulting flight attendants? Really not smart.
The FAA believes that not everyone has gotten the message, however, and says its determined to drive it home.
The agency said on Wednesday that it had issued civil fines, ranging from just under $9,000 to more than $30,000, against four passengers who allegedly refused to follow crewmember instructions — or worse — during their flights.
The biggest fine, $32,750, was levied against a passenger on a Feb. 7 JetBlue flight from the Dominican Republic to New York-JFK. According to the FAA, the passenger ignored instructions to wear a face mask, threw an empty bottle and food, shouted and cursed at flight attendants, and then assaulted two employees, grabbing one's arm, and hitting and scratching the other.
On top of all of that, the passenger was allegedly drinking alcohol that she brought onboard herself — a violation of FAA rules. In fact, several other passengers have fined in recent weeks for consuming booze they brought onboard.
The JFK flight ended up returning to the Dominican Republic.
You can read the full enforcement letter sent to the passenger by the FAA at the bottom of this article.
Related: If you threaten a Delta employee, you could lose your SkyMiles
A $16,500 fine was issued against a passenger from a January 26 Southwest flight from Chicago to Sacramento. That passenger allegedly refused to wear a face mask fully over his nose and mouth when he boarded, and then again when he took his seat. Eventually, he became combative, the FAA says, hitting a flight attendant with a bag and calling crewmembers "pathetic" when he was asked to leave the plane.
The other two passengers were each fined $9,000. The first allegedly stood up and began pacing the aisle during takeoff on a Dec. 22, 2020 Delta flight from Minneapolis to Philadelphia. The FAA claims she refused to sit back down, repeatedly saying that she wanted to get off the plane. The flight turned around and returned to Minneapolis.
The other $9,000 fine was issued to a passenger who persistently refused to wear a face mask on a Jan. 30 Alaska Airlines flight from Bozeman, Montana to Seattle. As the plane pushed back and taxied towards the runway, flight attendants repeatedly instructed the man to wear a mask that they provided, but after he allegedly continued to refuse, the plane returned to the gate.
U.S. airlines require passengers to wear masks during flights, and the Biden administration said last week that it would extend a federal mask requirement on public transportation until at least September.
The four passengers have 30 days to respond to the FAA fines, which are considered a civil penalty. The response can involve an appeal, but there is no guarantee of the fine being changed.
More: The FAA is getting serious about unruly fliers — you can be fined up to $35,000 if you misbehave
The fines come two weeks after the FAA issued violations against passengers involved with a series of booze-fueled incidents, and two months after the FAA said it would continue to crack down on disruptive behavior aboard planes. The recent fines have been highly publicized actions taken under a zero-tolerance policy that the FAA implemented in January following numerous disruptive incidents on flights surrounding the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol building.
Under the zero-tolerance policy, the FAA said it will pursue legal enforcement against anyone involved with an “unruly passenger” incident on a flight. Normally, the FAA uses discretion to choose from among several approaches, including formal warnings and counseling.
FAA enforcement letter:
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| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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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.