US officials said Tuesday they had referred 22 other cases involving unruly airline passengers to the FBI for possible criminal charges.
Allegations include sexually assaulting female passengers, assaulting flight attendants, attempting to enter the cockpit, making terrorist threats and smoking in airplane lavatories.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the incidents happened as early as late 2021 and as recently as April this year.
The FAA can fine up to $37,000 against unruly passengers, but lacks the power to press criminal charges; Therefore, the agency refers some cases to the FBI.
A police officer stands guard at Los Angeles Airport. On Tuesday, US officials referred 22 cases of misconduct on planes to the FBI
So far this year there have been 1,200 reports of “plane rage” – a significant drop from 6,000 in 2021
Reports of improper behavior by passengers on flights peaked in 2021. Many of the approximately 6,000 incidents were about anger about the mask requirement, which has since been lifted.
The number fell to under 2,500 last year and has fallen to under 1,200 so far this year, the FAA said.
The FAA said it has referred more than 270 cases to the FBI since the end of 2021.
Attacks on flight attendants and other passengers have become almost routine in 2021.
In December 2021, a Delta flight from Washington DC to Los Angeles was diverted after a mid-air passenger attacked a flight attendant and then turned on an air marshal.
The plane had to be diverted to Oklahoma City and the male suspect, said to be in his 30s, was removed from the plane in handcuffs, CBS reported.
The flight then proceeded to Los Angeles, where it was scheduled to land at 10:17 p.m. Pacific Time, approximately two hours late.
The officer and flight attendant did not suffer serious injuries and did not require hospitalization.
Flight DL342 departed Reagan National Airport at 5:16 p.m. local time, but an altercation broke out in the air
An unnamed passenger attacked a flight attendant and then turned on a flight attendant.
It is unclear what the altercation was about
The plane had to be diverted to Oklahoma City and the male suspect, said to be in his 30s, was removed from the plane in handcuffs
Oklahoma City Police Department Captain Arthur Gregory said an air marshal tried to take the suspect into custody after he “attacked a flight attendant,” but he “then assaulted the air marshal.”
In April this year, two British men were told they were facing federal lawsuits in the US after their plane from Mexico to the UK was forced to divert to Maine.
US prosecutors said Damien Murphy and his friend Anthony Kirby, both 36, were arrested for their highly disruptive behavior.
The couple are said to have partied with other friends on holiday over the New Year’s weekend.
About six armed officers boarded the Tui flight from Cancun shortly after it was forced to land at Maine’s Bangor International Airport after allegations the couple had verbally and physically abused passengers and crew.
Pictured: Damien Jake Murphy (left) and Anthony Joseph James Kirby (right), both 36 and from Manchester, were arrested by US officials and charged with federal crimes. If convicted, they face up to 20 years in prison
In video filmed by a passenger, the first man, carrying a black holdall and a red plastic bag, walks down the aisle laughing as police escort him away, followed by his friend pushing past an officer.
The two then get into a verbal altercation with others on board, with one of them shouting, “Get out!”
One of the men responds by shouting, “F**got.”
A third man dressed in black quietly exits the plane, followed by US police.
Murphy and Kirby, both from Manchester, have been charged with federal offenses and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. No charges were brought against a third, unnamed man.
And in April this year, a first-class passenger went viral after he was filmed bursting into tears as he was arrested over a dispute over a gin and tonic before departure.
The unidentified man had allegedly asked for the cocktail but was refused by officers – leading to an argument that led to staff calling the police.
Social media was quick to lash out at the “man-child,” who was later filmed sobbing as he was arrested on the jet bridge of an American Airlines flight.
The clip begins with the man being asked by officers to leave – which he refuses.
Fellow passengers can be heard begging the man to get off the plane, but he remains seated while arguing with officers.
A first-class passenger went viral after he was filmed bursting into tears as he was arrested over a dispute over a gin and tonic before take-off
At one point, he pulls out his cell phone to record the altercation, but it’s immediately taken from his hand.
The officers then yank him from his seat and argue with him in the hallway.
The man repeatedly yells “stop” before bursting into tears.
After finally exiting the plane, he continues to howl and falls to the ground, being held by officers who handcuff him.
It’s unclear why he was denied the gin and tonic and how the situation escalated.
American Airlines rules state that first class passengers are entitled to a drink before departure.
The man reportedly complained that he was not guilty of any crime.
But the US Department of Transportation says airlines can evict any passenger for safety or health reasons, or for conduct deemed obscene, disruptive or otherwise unlawful.