Travelers are being reminded that unruly behavior on flights can carry serious consequences, following a case on a Frontier Airlines flight where a passenger was hit with a $25,500 civil penalty.
What Happened on the Flight
According to reports, the passenger’s actions included:
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Repeatedly kicking the aircraft bulkhead.
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Screaming obscenities at fellow passengers.
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Throwing food, including corn nuts, at others.
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Locking herself in the bathroom for 30 minutes while the seatbelt sign was on.
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Yelling at and giving the middle finger to flight attendants.
The passenger was given a so-called “red card” warning by the crew but allegedly continued her disruptive behavior.
TSA and FAA Warning
The Transportation Security Administration and Federal Aviation Administration emphasize that federal law strictly prohibits:
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Interfering with aircraft crew.
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Physically assaulting or threatening crew members or other passengers.
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Disruptive behavior that can endanger the flight or distract cabin crew from their duties.
Passengers can face civil penalties, and in severe cases, criminal fines and imprisonment.
Fines and Legal Action
Passengers have 30 days after receiving a letter from the FAA to respond and pay fines. Failure to do so can result in further legal action. Notable past penalties include:
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$81,950 for a passenger on an American Airlines flight in July 2021 for assaulting crew and trying to open the plane door.
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$77,272 for a Delta passenger the same month for similar behavior.
So far this year, the FAA has received 1,500 reports of alleged unruly behavior, issuing over $2.2 million in fines.
Reminder: Acceptable Identification at TSA Checkpoints
All travelers 18 and older must present valid ID. Acceptable forms include:
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REAL ID-compliant state driver’s licenses or ID cards (temporary licenses not accepted).
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US passports or passport cards.
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DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST).
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US Department of Defense IDs.
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Permanent resident cards or border crossing cards.
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Photo IDs issued by federally recognized Tribal Nations.
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HSPD-12 PIV cards, foreign passports, and other specific credentials like USCIS Employment Authorization Cards, Merchant Mariner Credentials, or Veteran Health ID Cards.
The FAA and TSA urge all passengers to remain calm, follow crew instructions, and understand the serious consequences of disruptive actions aboard aircraft.
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
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