Cameron Miranda
Flight attendants are responsible for ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers on board an aircraft. While their primary role is to provide customer service, they are also trained to handle emergency situations and ensure the security of the aircraft. As part of their duties, flight attendants are required to give orders to passengers, such as instructing them to fasten their seat belts or refrain from using electronic devices. But what happens when passengers disobey or interfere with the duties of a flight attendant? Can flight attendants give lawful orders to passengers, and what are the repercussions for those who refuse to comply?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Federal law violation | Interfering with flight attendants' duties is a violation of federal law |
| Zero-tolerance policy | The FAA has a zero-tolerance policy for unruly behavior by passengers |
| Civil penalties | The FAA can impose civil penalties (fines) for interfering with a flight attendant's duties |
| Criminal charges | Unruly passengers may face federal or state criminal charges and possible imprisonment |
| Felony conviction | Assaulting or intimidating a flight attendant or attempting to do so can result in a felony conviction |
| Prosecution | The FAA can refer cases to the FBI, federal prosecutors, or local officials for prosecution |
| Law enforcement involvement | Flight crews can request local law enforcement to be present at the gate to remove unruly passengers |
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What You'll Learn
Federal law prohibits interfering with or assaulting flight attendants
Federal law prohibits any form of interference, assault, or intimidation of flight attendants and crew members. This includes any attempt or threat to injure a flight attendant or crew member, as well as the use of words or conduct to place them in reasonable fear of harm. Shoving, hitting, screaming, or pushing a cart into a flight attendant are all considered assaults.
Interfering with a flight attendant's duties, such as physically blocking them or disobeying repeated requests, is also prohibited. This can result in civil penalties ranging from $1,000 to $16,000 per incident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a zero-tolerance policy for such behaviour and can impose substantial fines. In 2022, the FAA imposed its largest fines ever, amounting to $77,272 and $81,950.
Assaulting or threatening to assault a flight attendant carries harsher civil penalties, with fines exceeding $40,000 per incident. If a dangerous weapon is used in the assault or intimidation, the penalties are even more severe, including imprisonment for any term of years or for life. The FAA can refer cases of criminal behaviour to the FBI and federal prosecutors for criminal charges.
Passengers who disobey or interfere with the duties of flight attendants may face civil penalties from the FAA, federal or state criminal charges, or both. It is important to comply with the instructions of flight attendants to avoid legal repercussions, which can include jail time, fines, or both.
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Unruly behaviour can result in criminal charges
Unruly behaviour by passengers is a serious issue that can put the safety of everyone on the aircraft at risk. Federal law prohibits passengers from interfering or physically assaulting (or threatening to physically assault) airline crew members. This includes intimidating or injuring a crew member or attempting to do so. Such actions can result in a felony conviction and carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The use of a dangerous weapon, defined as any object that can cause death or serious bodily injury, will result in even harsher penalties.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a zero-tolerance policy for unruly passenger behaviour and has seen a substantial increase in incidents since the COVID-19 pandemic. The FAA investigates all reported incidents and refers the most serious cases to the FBI for criminal prosecution. Since late 2021, the FAA has referred more than 310 cases to the FBI, with unacceptable behaviour continuing to occur.
Examples of unruly behaviour that have resulted in criminal charges include physically and sexually assaulting flight attendants and fellow passengers, making terroristic threats, and attempting to breach the flight deck. Even less violent actions, such as disobeying a flight attendant's orders, refusing to "power down" electronic devices, or dressing scantily, can result in civil penalties ranging from $1,000 to $16,000 per incident.
It is important to note that the FAA cannot directly file criminal charges, but it can impose civil fines and refer cases to the FBI and federal or local prosecutors for criminal prosecution. Passengers who exhibit unruly behaviour may also be removed from the aircraft by local law enforcement.
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Civil penalties for interfering with flight attendants
Federal law prohibits passengers from interfering with or physically assaulting flight attendants or threatening to do so. This means that any intimidating or injurious behaviour towards a flight crew member can result in a felony conviction if the defendant has interfered with the performance of the crew member's duties.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards unruly passenger behaviour, which has increased post-COVID. The FAA can impose civil penalties, ranging from $1,000 to $16,000 per incident, for acts that interfere with a crew member's duties. These acts can include disobeying repeated requests, using offensive language, or any other disruptive behaviour that distracts the crew. The FAA can also refer cases to the FBI and federal prosecutors or local officials for criminal prosecution.
Assaulting or threatening to assault a crew member carries the harshest civil penalties, with fines of more than $40,000 per incident. In 2022, the FAA imposed its highest fines ever, with penalties of $77,272 and $81,950. Criminal convictions for interfering with flight crew members can result in up to 20 years of prison time and a $250,000 fine. If a dangerous weapon is used, defendants can face even harsher penalties, including life imprisonment.
Passengers who are charged with assaulting or interfering with a crew member should contact a defence attorney who has experience with such cases. An attorney can explain the process, advise on the likely outcome, and help build a strong defence.
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Intimidating or threatening attendants is a felony
Intimidating or threatening flight attendants is a felony. Federal law prohibits passengers from interfering or physically assaulting (or threatening to physically assault) airline crew members. This means that injuring or intimidating a crew member, or attempting to do so, can result in a felony conviction if the defendant has interfered with the performance of the crew member's duties.
In the US, assaulting or intimidating a flight crew member or attendant while on board an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the country is punishable under the law. A violation of this law is a general intent crime; it does not require any specific intent to intimidate or interfere with the flight crew member or attendant.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has adopted a zero-tolerance policy for any unruly behaviour by passengers, with rates of these incidents increasing post-COVID. An unruly passenger can face civil penalties from the FAA and possibly federal or state criminal charges. While the FAA cannot file criminal charges, it can refer the case to the FBI and federal prosecutors or to local officials for prosecution.
Flight crew can also ask local law enforcement to be at the gate to remove an unruly passenger. Federal law makes it a crime to interfere with flight crew members (flight attendants and pilots). Assaulting or intimidating a crew member, or attempting or conspiring to do so, can result in a felony conviction. Assault covers acts that injure someone, as well as any attempt or threat to injure someone if it appears the offender has the ability to carry out the harm.
Intimidation is defined as using words or conduct to place a person in reasonable fear of harm. Shoving or hitting a flight attendant, screaming at a crew member, or pushing a cart into someone would fall under this section. A criminal conviction for interfering with flight crew members carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Defendants who use a dangerous weapon can be punished more severely, with imprisonment for any term of years or for life.
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The FAA has a zero-tolerance policy for unruly passengers
The zero-tolerance policy covers any disruptive behaviour that distracts flight or cabin crew, including threats or acts against fellow passengers. This includes refusing to follow safety procedures, such as powering down electronic devices, and non-compliance with face mask orders. The FAA can impose civil penalties (fines) for acts that interfere with a crew member's duties, with fines ranging from $1,000 to $40,000 per incident. In 2022, the FAA imposed its largest fines ever against two unruly passengers—$77,272 and $81,950.
Federal law prohibits passengers from interfering with, assaulting, or threatening to assault airline crew members. This means that injuring, intimidating, or attempting to injure or intimidate a crew member can result in a felony conviction. Using a dangerous weapon will result in even harsher penalties, including up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Passengers who disobey flight attendants' orders may find themselves in jail, in a courtroom, or in need of a criminal defence lawyer.
The zero-tolerance policy has helped to reduce the incident rate by more than 60%. The FAA continues to work with airlines, labour, airports, and security and law enforcement partners to drive down the number of incidents.
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Frequently asked questions
Ignoring a flight attendant's request is considered interfering with their duties and is prohibited by federal law. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can impose civil penalties (fines) for such acts, and you may also be prosecuted on criminal charges.
Almost any offensive or disruptive behaviour that distracts the flight or cabin crew can be considered interference. This includes threats or acts against fellow passengers, refusing to power down electronic devices, dressing scantily, and disobeying repeated requests.
Civil penalties for acts of interference range from $1,000 to $16,000 per incident. The harshest civil penalties are for assaulting or threatening to assault a crew member, which can be more than $40,000 per incident. A criminal conviction for interfering with flight crew members can result in up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
If you are a crew member, you can ask local law enforcement to be at the gate to remove an unruly passenger. You can also inform the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) about the incident, who may refer the case to the FBI and federal prosecutors or local officials for prosecution.
