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19 May, 2021

Airline passenger faces $13,500 fine for blowing his nose on a blanket

Messy inside view of commercial aircraft cabin airplane economic area with rows of seats down the aisle during fly. No passengers flying during the Corona Virus Covid-19 Pandemic time. Pretty much the whole airplane is empty without passengers.

A JetBlue passenger could be facing a fine of more than $13,500 for refusing to wear a mask, abusing flight attendants and blowing his nose on and coughing into one of the airline’s blankets.

And, reports indicate that the offender may have been US-based rapper Lil Pump, who the airline confirmed had been banned from flying with them on the same day.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed a civil penalty of US$10,500 (about $13,500) against a passenger who allegedly “interfered with flight attendants”.

The flight took place on 27 December 2020 and was travelling from Fort Lauderdale International Airport to Los Angeles Airport when a passenger repeatedly ignored flight attendant’s instructions to wear a facemask.

The FAA alleges the passenger also coughed and blew his nose into a blanket.

“The passenger’s disruptive behaviour diverted flight crewmembers from their duties,” the FAA said in a press release.

The FAA did not identify the passenger but, according to The Washington Post, JetBlue said it had banned rapper Lil Pump for refusing to wear a mask on the exact date and route of the incident.

The musician has been vocal about his refusal to wear face masks and has said he does not believe in COVID-19.

It is against federal law in the US to interfere with aircraft crew or physically assault or threaten to physically assault crew.

“Passengers are subject to civil penalties for such misconduct, which can threaten the safety of the flight by disrupting or distracting cabin crew from their safety duties,” the FAA said.

“Additionally, federal law provides for criminal fines and imprisonment of passengers who interfere with the performance of a crewmember’s duties by assaulting or intimidating that crewmember.”

Travel Weekly has approached JetBlue for comment.

Featured image source: iStock/ampueroleonardo

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airline blanket aviation cabin crew COVID-19 faa face covering face mask flight attendant Fort Lauderdale International Airport JetBlue Lil Pump los angeles The Federal Aviation Administration