- A JetBlue Airways passenger could be fined $ 14,500, the FAA said.
- The man was without a mask and was drinking alcohol he had brought on board – both of which were forbidden.
- He was escorted by the police at JFK airport after an emergency landing.
- See more stories on the Insider business page.
A JetBlue Airways passenger could face fines of up to $ 14,500 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for refusing to wear a mask, drink their own alcohol and other disruptive behavior on a flight last year, reports the AP.
The passenger was so unbearable that the December 23 flight from New York to the Dominican Republic had to be reversed, Bloomberg said.
The FAA said in a press release that the unidentified passenger crowded the traveler seated next to him and began to speak loudly. He also continued to drink alcohol he had brought on board, although it was against federal regulations.
The man ignored several requests from flight attendants to cover his face, the agency said.
Such behavior is considered unacceptable on JetBlue flights, since its policy is compatible with federal legislation and facial coverage is mandatory on flights, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The FAA press release stated: “A flight attendant issued the passenger with a ‘Notice to cease illegal and questionable behavior, and the cabin crew notified the captain of his actions twice differently. As a result of the passenger’s actions, the captain declared an emergency and returned to JFK, where the plane landed 4,000 pounds overweight due to the amount of fuel on board. “
Upon landing, police were waiting at the airport to escort the man off the plane, according to Bloomberg.
The passenger has 30 days to respond to executions made against him, the FAA said.