Zero Tolerance for Unruly and Dangerous Behavior Toolkit
The FAA has seen a disturbing number of incidents where airline passengers have disrupted flights with threatening or violent behavior.
On January 13, 2021, Former FAA Administrator Steve Dickson signed an order directing a stricter legal enforcement policy against unruly airline passengers in the wake of recent, troubling incidents.
Historically, the agency has addressed unruly-passenger incidents using a variety of methods ranging from warnings and counseling to civil penalties. Under the new zero tolerance policy, FAA will not address these cases with warnings or counseling. The agency will pursue legal enforcement action against any passenger who assaults, threatens, intimidates, or interferes with airline crew members.
In an effort to promote safe and responsible passenger behavior and bring awareness to the zero tolerance policy, FAA encourages the widest dissemination of the following digital products.
FAA Administrator Message on Zero Tolerance Policy
FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker reiterates that the FAA has zero tolerance for unruly passenger behavior. Dangerous passengers put everyone at risk. Threatening or violent behavior can distract and disrupt crewmembers from their primary responsibility – to ensure the safety of all passengers. If you disrupt a flight, you risk not only substantial fines from the FAA, but also federal criminal prosecution and jail time.
FAA messages regarding unruly passengers and social media memes have been formatted in variety of sizes and orientations for use in airport digital signage and other displays.
- FAA Refers More Unruly Passenger Cases to the FBI, August 2024
- FAA Refers More Unruly Passenger Cases to FBI, August 2023
- FAA Refers More Unruly Passenger Cases to FBI in 2023, April 2023
- "Fly Right! How to be a Good Airline Passenger" (Medium)
- FAA: Zero-Tolerance Policy Against Unruly Passengers Here to Stay
- Unruly Passenger Rate Drops, But Remains Too High
- Read Administrator Dickson's letter to airport leaders on the Zero Tolerance Policy
In a new video, the FAA highlights real consequences for disruptive behavior. If you disrupt a flight, you risk not just fines from the FAA, but federal criminal prosecution as well. The FAA has Zero Tolerance for unruly behavior.
Unruly passengers can distract pilots. It is not safe to disrupt a flight. The FAA has ZERO TOLERANCE for not following crew instructions.
As part of FAA's Zero Tolerance campaign, this video features children explaining how to behave on a plane and expressing their disgust about increased unruly passenger behavior. The FAA also released several memes on social media. We are offering these free outreach materials to federal, state, and other partners to educate passengers on FAA's zero tolerance policy against unruly behavior.
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Go to Jail Card
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