Jazmin Li
There are many reasons why someone may be banned from an airport or an airline. Airlines have the legal right to ban passengers at will, and often this is due to unruly or disruptive behaviour. This includes endangering the crew, passengers or equipment, smoking, drinking or taking drugs in-flight, refusing to wear a mask, or causing a scene. Some passengers have even been banned for life for their disruptive behaviour. Other reasons for being banned from an airline include not abiding by an airline's contract of carriage rules, such as hidden-city ticketing, or causing a riot in an airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Not wearing a mask | Delta Airlines banned 880 passengers for breaking this rule |
| Being drunk and disorderly | Alcohol-related incidents are common |
| Threatening behaviour | A passenger tried to open the plane doors mid-air |
| Smoking | Smoking was banned on US flights in 2000 |
| Vaping | A Spirit Airlines passenger was caught vaping in 2019 |
| Bringing your own food | A former child soldier was banned for life for joking about having a "license to eat human flesh" |
| Harassment | A presidential supporter was banned from Delta for harassing a seatmate |
| Not wearing shoes | Delta may refuse to fly you if you are barefoot |
| Smelling bad | Delta may refuse to fly you if you have a malodorous condition |
| Not wearing a seatbelt | Delta may refuse to fly you if you are unable to wear a seatbelt |
| Being disruptive | A passenger was banned from Jet2 for life after causing a riot in the airport |
| Violating the contract of carriage | An elite status member of American Airlines was banned from its AAdvantage frequent flyer program after skipping the last leg of around 95 flights |
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What You'll Learn
Intoxication and unruly behaviour
Although drinking at the airport or on the plane is not a crime, unruly behaviour while intoxicated can lead to serious consequences, including arrest, fines, and imprisonment. Intoxication can impair judgement and increase the risk of disruptive or aggressive behaviour, which can endanger oneself or others.
Federal aviation regulations prohibit airlines from allowing passengers who appear intoxicated to board an aircraft. This is enforced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which has stated that gate agents may deny boarding to passengers who appear intoxicated to ensure the safety of all travellers. Airlines may also remove intoxicated passengers from a plane once they are on board. Additionally, passengers are typically only allowed to consume alcohol served by flight attendants, and bringing outside alcohol on board can result in fines.
The consequences of intoxication and unruly behaviour at airports and on planes can be severe. Under federal law, interfering with the duties of flight crew members or engaging in disorderly conduct can result in fines of up to $250,000 and imprisonment of up to 20 years. Assaulting a flight attendant or fellow passenger is a federal offence and can lead to imprisonment and hefty fines. Additionally, individuals who are intoxicated may be arrested for public intoxication at the airport, and some states consider it a criminal offence to be drunk in public spaces.
To avoid legal consequences, it is crucial to drink responsibly before and during a flight. Passengers should be aware of their limits, stay hydrated, and monitor their time, especially if they have a layover, to ensure they have enough time to sober up before their next flight. Additionally, passengers should be mindful of any medications they are taking that may interact with alcohol.
While airports may have bars and restaurants serving alcohol, they also implement measures to ensure passenger safety. These include enhanced security, searches, CCTV, and sealed bags for duty-free alcohol purchases. However, some airports and airlines have reported an increase in disruptive incidents, with intoxication being a contributing factor. To address this issue, some airlines have introduced initiatives such as staff training and communication campaigns to raise awareness of the law.
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Not wearing a mask
Airlines such as Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Allegiant Air, Hawaiian Airlines, and Frontier Airlines have all banned passengers for not wearing masks. As of January 2021, Delta Air Lines had banned over 880 passengers, while United Airlines had banned 613. These numbers reflect the airlines' commitment to enforcing their mask policies and ensuring the safety of their passengers and crew.
The consequences of not wearing a mask can extend beyond being banned by a particular airline. In the case of a British Airways pilot, Peter Burch, refusing to wear a mask resulted in him being banned from flying and losing a legal case against the airline for discrimination. Mr. Burch claimed that his stance against masks was equivalent to a religious belief and that he had a right to "breathe freely." However, an employment tribunal judge ruled that his stance did not qualify for legal protection as it potentially infringed on the fundamental human rights of others to be protected from disease.
While it may be an inconvenience for some, wearing a mask in an airport or on a flight is not just a recommendation but a requirement to ensure the safety and well-being of all travelers and staff. With the potential consequences of non-compliance being so significant, it is important for travelers to adhere to these mask policies.
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Violating airline contracts
Violating an airline's contract of carriage is a surefire way to get on their "no-fly" list. Each airline has specific rules that constitute your contract of carriage, and these rules may differ among carriers. These rules include provisions such as check-in deadlines, refund procedures, and responsibility for delayed flights. For example, hidden-city ticketing, where you get off the plane at a layover instead of the final destination, usually violates an airline's contract of carriage. If you do this too often, the airline will take notice, as evidenced by an elite status member of American Airlines who was banned from its frequent flyer program after skipping the last leg of around 95 flights.
Additionally, disruptive behaviour, such as physical assault or threatening an airline crew member, can result in felony charges, prison time, and hefty fines. Even minor disruptive behaviour, such as blocking crew member access or disobeying instructions, can get you banned from an airline or all airlines if it rises to the FAA level, resulting in fines of up to $25,000 per violation. Alcohol-fuelled bad behaviour is a common reason for passengers getting banned, so it's important to watch your alcohol intake during extended flight delays and make sure you eat and drink water.
In some cases, violating aviation safety rules and engaging in unruly behaviour can lead to a ban. For instance, a passenger was blacklisted and banned from Qantas Group for two years after he pinched a flight attendant's bum. Similarly, a passenger was banned from United Airlines after an incident where she bumped into a gate agent with her rollaboard bag and was considered a Level 2 incident, indicating a physical assault on a crew member.
To avoid violating airline contracts, it is essential to read and abide by the airline's contract of carriage, which can usually be found on their website. Ask questions about a carrier's rules if you are uncertain, as it is in your best interest and that of the airline to be informed in advance.
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Bringing animals on board
Some airlines have different requirements for different aircraft. For instance, if you are flying in First or Business on a 3-cabin Airbus A321T with American Airlines, you must place the carrier in the dedicated animal-friendly compartment at the front of the plane. American Airlines also does not accept dogs as carry-on pets if they originate from or have visited a high-risk country for rabies in the six months before the travel date. Additionally, American Airlines does not accept pets that have been sedated or tranquilized, as they are at a higher risk of respiratory and cardiovascular problems at high altitudes.
Some people have tried to bring unusual "emotional support" animals on planes, such as pigs, monkeys, and even peacocks, with mixed success. While sometimes the passenger with the animal is asked to leave, there have been cases where the person with an allergy has been removed from the flight.
If you are unsure about bringing your pet on board, it is best to contact the airline directly. Additionally, be sure to check the regulations of your destination country, as some countries, like Mexico, have specific government regulations on vaccinations for pets.
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Smoking or vaping
Smoking and vaping are generally prohibited in airports. However, some airports provide designated smoking areas outdoors, away from the terminal entrances. For example, Sea-Tac International Airport has designated smoking sections located on the arrivals drive, while vaping is allowed in designated areas outside the terminals at Heathrow Airport. Similarly, Frankfurt Airport allows vaping in designated lounges, and Miami, Tampa, and Toronto airports permit vaping within the airport.
It is important to note that the regulations and laws regarding vaping have not always been clear, and they vary across different countries and airports. While some countries have banned vaping in their airports, others may allow it in designated areas. Therefore, it is essential to research and familiarize yourself with the rules of your destination airport before travelling.
In terms of smoking or vaping on an aircraft, it is prohibited by almost all airlines and governments worldwide. This includes the use of electronic cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. Passengers found smoking or vaping on non-smoking flights may face fines, arrest, or detention upon landing. Additionally, vaping devices containing lithium batteries are considered dangerous and must be kept in carry-on luggage, not checked bags.
To ensure a safe and pleasant travel experience for all passengers, it is important to follow the airport and airline regulations regarding smoking and vaping.
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Frequently asked questions
You can be banned from an airline, which may result in you being banned from the airport they are based in. However, there is no evidence that you can be banned from entering an airport due to behavioural issues.
Airlines can ban you if they deem your behaviour to be disruptive, disorderly, abusive, violent, or hazardous to yourself, the crew, or other passengers. This includes being intoxicated, refusing to wear a mask, and smoking or vaping.
Yes, airlines can ban you for not following their policies. For example, some airlines will ban you for making voice calls after the aircraft doors have closed.
Yes, you can be banned for bringing prohibited items on board. For example, a passenger was banned from Delta after he told a fellow passenger that he had smuggled a blow torch and a taser through security.
Yes, some airlines will ban you for not completing your full journey. For example, an elite status member of American Airlines was banned from its AAdvantage frequent flyer program after skipping the last leg of around 95 flights.
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