FAA REPORTS 80% DROP IN CASES OF UNRULY AIRLINE PASSENGERS SINCE 2021
September 16, 2023
On August 9, 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) reported that cases of unruly airline passenger behavior have dropped by 80 percent since their peak in 2021. The FAA has recorded 1,117 instances of unruly behavior in 2023, down from 5,973 cases in 2021. Twenty-two cases of particularly unruly conduct were referred to the FBI. The violations took place from December 2021 to April 2023, and include physical assault, yelling and cursing, vaping, refusing to remain seated, sexual misconduct toward flight attendants, and sexually assaulting other passengers. The FAA partnered with the FBI in 2021 to more aggressively bring criminal charges against disorderly airline passengers, in hopes of preventing future incidents. The FAA has referred about 270 cases to the FBI since the partnership began, including 39 cases in 2023. Passengers can face up to $37,000 in civil penalties per violation.
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