Unruly airline passenger fines hit $1 million this year amid mask mandate

The FAA says it has received almost 4,000 reports of in-flight disturbances.

Fines for unruly behavior during flights have soared in 2021, with the Federal Aviation Administration reporting Thursday that it has proposed more than $1 million in penalties this year alone. The FAA has received almost 4,000 reports of aggressive behavior from airlines since the beginning of 2021. Airline crews have reported incidents in which visibly drunk passengers verbally abused them, shoved them, kicked seats, threw trash at them, defiled the restrooms and in some cases even punched them in the face. The agency said 71% of the reported incidents involve passengers who refuse to comply with the federal mask mandate.