The Fodor’s Travel Guide website has compiled a ranking of the ten most shocking incidents involving passenger behavior.
The global airline industry continued to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, with passenger traffic increasing. However, this has also led to an increase in violations on board. The FAA has recorded more than 310 serious incidents from 2022 through August 2024. Violations ranged from fights between passengers to attempts to open the emergency exit.
For inappropriate behavior, passengers can receive a fine of up to 37 thousand dollars, and in severe cases, a ban on flying for life. If an aircraft is forced to change its route due to an incident, the offender may be required to pay fuel costs.
The most notorious incidents of 2024
1. Passenger without a ticket. On a Delta flight from New York to Paris, the crew discovered that a woman was on board without a boarding pass. She made her way through security using the airline employee queue. She was detained in Paris, but upon returning to the United States she caused a riot.
2. Assault on a disabled passenger. During a United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Washington, a passenger assaulted another passenger. The victim turned out to be deaf and mute. “He was just throwing punches, it was extremely aggressive,” an eyewitness told CNN.
3. Attempted strangulation of a flight attendant. On a Frontier Airlines flight from Santa Ana to San Francisco, a passenger behaved aggressively. He tried to strangle a flight attendant, hit another crew member and threatened passengers. He was detained immediately after the emergency landing.
4. The passenger who broke the screens at the airport. In Chile, a passenger damaged American Airlines equipment worth $20,000. The reason is that he was sold a fake ticket.
5. Family scandal in first grade. A man attacked his companion on an American Airlines flight.
6. Opening an emergency exit. On a Jetstar flight in Australia, a passenger opened the emergency exit after landing. Then she walked along the wing of the plane.
7. Scandal with insults. On a United Airlines flight from London to Newark, a passenger threatened the crew. He had to be tied up and the plane landed early.
8. Inappropriate behavior in the salon. During an American Airlines flight, a young man relieved himself in the aisle. He was arrested and the flight was rerouted.
These incidents reminded us how important it is to respect the rules of conduct on board. Many of the violators have already faced severe consequences – from large fines to flight bans.
Cursor previously wrote that the plane crashed in California.