The FAA is putting airlines on notice, and Alaska Airlines is the latest carrier facing questions over alcohol-related compliance. The Federal Aviation Administration proposed a $165,000 civil penalty against Alaska Airlines, alleging the carrier allowed intoxicated passengers to board 11 flights between February 2024 and February 2025.
According to the FAA, federal rules prohibit airlines from allowing anyone who appears intoxicated to board an aircraft. Alaska Airlines has 30 days after receiving the agency’s enforcement letter to respond.
Alaska said it cooperated with the FAA audit and has already made changes.
“Since the FAA shared these concerns with us over a year ago, we made meaningful changes to ensure compliance with the FAA’s expectations – including enhanced training for all flight attendants and customer service agents,” the airline said. “We respect the results of the FAA’s audit and are confident in the changes that have been in place for the last year to ensure our shared standards are being met.”
Why Intoxicated Passenger Rules Matter
This is not just about one passenger having too much at the airport bar. FAA rules under 14 CFR § 121.575 say passengers may not drink alcohol onboard unless the airline serves it, airlines may not serve alcohol to someone who appears intoxicated, and carriers may not allow a visibly intoxicated person to board. Airlines must also report disturbances caused by passengers who appear intoxicated.
That makes the gate, the cabin crew, and the captain part of the same safety chain. Once the doors close, a disruptive passenger can become everyone’s problem, especially if the flight is already in the air.
The FAA Has Been Tightening Enforcement
The Alaska case lands as the FAA continues to stress its zero-tolerance approach to unruly passenger behavior. The agency says incidents involving threatening or violent passengers surged beginning in 2021, though the rate has dropped more than 80 percent from early 2021 record highs.
The FAA can propose fines of up to $43,658 per violation in unruly passenger cases, and one incident can lead to multiple violations. The agency also notes that some cases may be referred to the FBI, since the FAA can impose civil penalties but does not bring criminal charges.
Airlines Are Facing Broader Alcohol Compliance Scrutiny
The Alaska proposed fine is separate from recent FAA actions involving employee drug and alcohol testing. In April, the FAA proposed $304,272 in fines against Southwest Airlines, alleging it failed to conduct required follow-up drug or alcohol testing for 11 employees in safety-sensitive roles.
Reuters also reported the FAA proposed a $255,000 civil fine against American Airlines over alleged employee drug- and alcohol-testing violations.
The bigger message is clear: alcohol compliance is no longer background noise in air travel. From the gate to the galley to employee testing programs, regulators are making it clear that airlines are expected to catch problems before they become safety risks.
