Despite obvious violations of the law by airline passengers, both official and industry sources told CBS News very few passengers have actually been arrested, and even fewer have been fined or imprisoned.
taken by other passengers show onboard fights, flight attendants being assaulted, other passengers being punched, offenders often duct taped to their seats and law enforcement escorting passengers off planes. Many incidents result in flights being diverted.
Historically, the FAA has closed these cases with legal enforcement action; civil penalties; administrative action, which are warning notices; compliance action, which is counseling, or no action if there is insufficient evidence of a regulatory violation or violation of federal law. However, under the FAA's current zero-tolerance policy toward unruly passengers, implemented in 2021, the agency hasn't issued warning notices or counseling orders.