NATIONWIDE — AS UNRULY AIRLINE PASSENGER INCIDENTS INCREASE, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has referred more of these cases to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for criminal prosecution review during the past year, the FAA announced on Wednesday, Aug. 21. The Federal Aviation Administration referred 43 more unruly passenger cases over the past year; and since 2021, more than 310 of the most serious cases to the FBI under a partnership aimed at ensuring these individuals face criminal prosecution when warranted. The most frequent instances have involved inappropriate sexual or violent physical contact with airline attendants or other passengers, including minors. Other cases involved a passenger attacking one’s own traveling companion, threatening other passengers and flight staff, trying to breach the flight deck and threatening to open exit doors. Once an incident is referred to the FBI, the agency works closely with law enforcement partners and appropriate agencies to conduct an investigation if applicable. The FBI has also created a “Crimes Aboard Aircraft” section on their website with information about the types of crimes it investigates and how people can report them.
Although the rate of unruly passenger incidents has dropped by over 80% since record-highs in early 2021, when almost six thousand cases were reported, unacceptable behavior has not disappeared. Airlines have still reported more than 1,240 unruly passenger cases in 2024 alone. Travelers acting out risk losing TSA Pre-check status and other airline perks.
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