US Justice Department cracking down on unruly air passengers
The U.S. Justice Department is cracking down on unruly airline passengers as attacks on flight attendants and other airline workers have intensified.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced Wednesday, Nov. 24, that he's directed staff at the Department of Justice to prioritize the prosecution of federal crimes committed on planes and at airports.
Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free new biweekly Aviation newsletter
That should give law enforcement more power and resources to investigate and prosecute crimes committed in the air.
The union for flight attendants - the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) - surveyed its members in September and found that 85% of flight attendants reported they have dealt with unruly passengers.
A fifth of those surveyed said they’ve encountered physical violence on aircraft.
Related: 85% of flight attendants say they’ve dealt with unruly passengers this year
In a statement issued during the busy Thanksgiving travel week, Attorney General Garland wrote:
“Passengers who assault, intimidate or threaten violence against flight crews and flight attendants do more than harm those employees; they prevent the performance of critical duties that help ensure safe air travel. Similarly, when passengers commit violent acts against other passengers in the close confines of a commercial aircraft, the conduct endangers everyone aboard.”
Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst and president of Atmosphere Research, told TPG, "It's about time that action is taken against these criminals."
JohnnyJet founder and editor-in-chief, John E. DiScala, (aka Johnny Jet), had a similar take telling TPG, “It’s about time. In addition, they need to create an airline no-fly list, so if a 'turkey' causes problems on one airline, they can’t book a return ticket on another.”
Related: FAA cracking down on unruly passengers
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as of Nov. 23, 2021, there have been more than 5,300 incidents of unruly passengers, including more than 3,850 related to mask-wearing. The FAA has a zero-tolerance policy on bad behavior and can impose fines up to $37,000 per incident. The FAA has also referred at least 37 cases to the FBI for further investigation.
Harteveldt said, "There's no excuse for anyone to verbally or physically assault anyone on a plane, whether it's another passenger or crew member. Nor is there a reason for anyone to be verbally or physically abuse to people working at airports."
Brian Sumers is editor-at-large for travel site Skift. He told TPG, "It’s nice to see the government taking air rage seriously. Airline front-line workers have been complaining that more passengers than ever are failing to follow federal regulations. People drinking alcohol has been a major problem."
But Sumers also told me he's worried the crackdown won't be enough, "I wonder if this will be much of a deterrent. Most air rage is not planned in advance. People drink too much, or they’re having a bad day, or they’re stressed, and they lose it. When they fight with flight attendants, they aren’t thinking about prosecution. That’s only something that happens after the fact. Ideally, the industry and regulators will find a way to stop air rage before it starts."
Related: Air rage crisis: Congress gets an earful on unruly flyer incidents aboard US flights
Henry Harteveldt suggested the Justice Department taking action against unruly passengers might lead other passengers to think twice before they become abusive to airline workers in the future.
"I think we have reached the point where airlines would be justified to have passengers acknowledge they will adhere to a “code of conduct” as part of the check-in process," Harteveldt continued.
Harteveldt also told TPG:
"It's fair to say that none of us like to wear masks on planes, but it's now a federal requirement that we do so, and airlines are required to enforce that. It's clear some passengers feel that rather than accept this requirement, they feel entitled to dispute it. Perhaps they are frustrated by the aspects of air travel and wearing masks is the straw that breaks the proverbial camel's back that leads to these outbursts. It's not acceptable, and as a passenger, you have two choices: comply with the regulations, whether it's fastening your seatbelt or wearing a mask, or find another way to get from point A to point B."
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
6X | 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. |
4X | 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. |
2X | 2x points on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
- 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
- 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
- Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
- Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines
Cons
- Airline points transfer ratios are poor
- Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.
Rewards Rate
6X | 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. |
4X | 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. |
2X | 2x points on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.Earn 125,000 points75,000 pointsAnnual Fee
$125Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
- 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
- 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
- Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
- Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines
Cons
- Airline points transfer ratios are poor
- Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.