Summary
- Flight attendants can face $10,000 fines for passenger non-compliance
- Fines can be issued for every passenger infraction that occurs onboard an aircraft.
- Unruly passengers or passengers ignoring safety instructions can face larger fines, legal action, or even bans.
According to a viral trending video posted on TikTok by an American Airlines flight attendant, the Federal Aviation Administration could issue fines of up to $10,000 to the flight attendants in the case of passengers’ non-compliance with rules. In the same post, the flight attendant urged the passengers to listen to the crew members’ instructions, regardless of their previous flying experiences.
A hefty fine
Over the years, there have been numerous reports of unruly passengers or air travelers getting into trouble with the airlines or the aviation regulators for non-compliance with rules while flying. However, did you know that flight attendants could also be penalized for passenger actions?
An American Airlines flight attendant by the name of Keana posted a video on TikTok explaining that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can fine flight attendants up to $10,000 in the event passengers do not comply with rules or instructions when onboard an aircraft.
Considering that the flight attendants are there onboard an aircraft primarily for passenger and flight safety, it is important that all the passengers listen to the instructions being provided by the crew members.
When it comes to instructions, such as wearing seatbelts, placing the bag underneath, or lifting the tray tables, Keana, in the video, states:
now I don’t care that the last flight attendant didn’t ask you, they didn’t care about that fine. I care about that fine, so I’m gonna ask every time.
For every infraction
In the post, Keana additionally states the fines issued are up to $10,000, but also states that this fine can be issued for every infraction that occurs onboard the aircraft. Yes, individual fines that could go as high as $10,000 for each infraction.
Photo: Mendenhall Olga Shutterstock
It is worth noting that, according to the TikTok post, the FAA can issue fines for every infraction “if they are on board”.
Hence, it is imperative that all passengers listen to what the flight attendants say and follow the rules. After all, the flight attendants are onboard the aircraft, first and foremost, for passenger safety.

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Bigger fines for passengers
While crew members might be fined for passenger non-compliance, passengers who do not comply with the rules, on the other hand, will face consequences from the authorities and the airline. Depending on the level of disruption caused, the passenger(s) could be fined, have legal actions taken against them, or even banned from flying.
According to a report from the New York Post, data from a recent study in the US indicates that around 32% of fliers find it acceptable to ignore instructions issued by flight attendants.
Photo: Oleksii Halutva | Shutterstock
Thus, it is important for passengers to remember that every rule and safety instruction exists for passenger safety and has been deemed necessary based on past incidents or experiences seen across the aviation industry.

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