A passenger on a Delta Air Lines flight headed from Las Vegas to Atlanta now faces one of the largest fines issued by the Federal Aviation Administration for their unruly behavior.
The $77,272 fine is part of the administration’s efforts to crack down on disruptive passengers, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
Last year, the FAA established a “zero tolerance” policy and had since proposed close to $2 million in fines against passengers since the start of it.
The FAA accused the Delta passenger aboard a July 16, 2021, flight of attempting “to hug and kiss the passenger seated next to her; walked to the front of the aircraft to try to exit during flight; refused to return to her seat; and bit another passenger multiple times.”
“The crew had to physically restrain her,” the FAA stated.
The agency also announced a record $81,950 penalty against an American Airlines passenger who is accused of pushing a flight attendant before trying to open the cabin door.
The American passenger is also accused of repeatedly hitting one of the flight attendants before headbutting, bitting, and trying to kick crew and other passengers, the FAA added.
Passengers have 30 days to respond to the penalties against them. They can pay the fine, contest to the penalty, request a hearing, or show documentation that they are financially unable to pay the fine. The identity of the passenger is not released by the FAA.
Atlanta-based Delta has asked the U.S. Justice Department to create a national no-fly list for passengers who are convicted of on-board disruptions.
Earlier this week. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and U.S. Reps. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif. and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa, presented new legislation that would put people convicted of assaulting flight crew on a plane on a commercial no-fly list.
