FAA Fines Unruly Passenger $9,000 For Removing Mask And Berating Flight Attendants On Trip From Chicago To Connecticut

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Federal Aviation Administration has fined an unruly United Airlines passenger $9,000 for repeatedly removing his mask on a flight from Chicago to Connecticut, and for angrily berating flight attendants over a lack of alcohol and snacks.

The FAA said the passenger began shouting profanities at flight attendants on Feb. 3 on a flight from Chicago to Windsor, Conn., after they told him there were no snacks or alcoholic drinks available.

According to the FAA, he continued to shout at a flight attendant even after being shown the beverage cart did not have any alcohol or snacks.

The passenger also repeatedly pulled down his mask during the flight, in violation of the federal requirement for all passengers to wear masks on airplanes unless they are actively eating or drinking.

A flight attendant contacted the plane's captain about the passenger's behavior, who had law enforcement meet the passenger at the gate when they landed, after he also began taking pictures and videos of the flight attendant.

The FAA also issued a $40,823 fine against an unidentified passenger on Southwest Airlines flight from Mineta San Jose International Airport to San Diego on April 15. The agency alleges the passenger drank their own alcohol during the flight, which is prohibited under federal law.

After a flight attendant told the passenger to stop, officials said the passenger sexually assaulted the flight attendant. Before landing in San Diego, the passenger went into the airplane lavatory and smoked marijuana.

The passenger was arrested by police on charges of resisting arrest and public intoxication.

Federal officials also levied a $16,000 fine against a passenger on Delta Air Lines flight from San Francisco International Airport to Atlanta on January 24. Officials said the passenger brought small bottles of alcohol onto the flight. After a flight attendant told her twice to stop drinking, she allegedly finished the bottle in front of her.

The woman allegedly went on to pull down her mask and got close to the attendant's face, before demanding the flight attendant give their name and employee number. She also began filming the flight attendant.

Officials said the passenger was met by law enforcement after the flight was diverted to Las Vegas.

The passengers were among eight people who were levied more than $161,000 in fines by the FAA on Monday.

In a written statement, the agency said they issued the fines as part of their "Zero Tolerance" campaign against unruly passenger behavior. FAA officials said while the campaign launched in January has reduced incidents on commercial flights, the agency said the rate remains too high.

Last month, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants called on the FAA and Department of Transportation to prosecute violators and ban them from every airline, in the wake of a shocking attack on a flight attendant from New York's JFK airport to Orange County when a passenger punched the attendant's face. The flight attendant reportedly suffered broken bones in her nose and face.

Since the start of the year, the FAA said it has received nearly 300 reports of passenger disturbances due to alcohol and intoxication.

The agency, which does not have the power to prosecute, said it is working with the FBI and the Department of Justice to refer cases as appropriate.

Passengers who have been fined have 30 days to respond to the FAA.