United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg revealed that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had proposed the largest-ever fines against two passengers for alleged unruly behavior.

Guest co-host LeAnn Rimes questioned Buttigieg regarding what the department was doing to ease the disruptions caused by delays and unruly passengers. The Grammy Award winner, who is currently touring in support of her upcoming album "god's work," cited the cancelation of over 12,000 flights this month.

"It's one thing to be grumpy on a flight." cautioned the Transportation secretary while admitting that he shared similar sentiments when a flight was canceled or delayed. "It's another thing to endanger flight crews and to endanger fellow passengers. We have no tolerance for that." continued Buttigieg before revealing the FAA will issue its highest-ever fines.

Zero tolerance for staff harassment.

The FAA cited two specific cases where The FAA issued fines of $81,950 and $77,272 for exceptionally unruly passengers. The larger of the two penalties involves a passenger on an American Airlines flight from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, to Charlotte, North Carolina, who allegedly threatened to harm a flight attendant assisting a fellow passenger.

The administration alleges that the passenger then pushed the flight attendant aside and tried to open the cabin door before biting, spitting on, and hitting crew members on the head. Law enforcement apprehended the passenger upon arrival at Charlotte International Airport (CLT).

CLT Photo: Getty Images
The FAA has issued its highest ever fines for exceptionally unruly passengers. Photo: Getty Images

The second instance involves an altercation on a Delta Air Lines flight from Las Vegas to Atlanta. The crew physically restrained a troublesome passenger who causes tried to exit the aircraft mid-flight. The FAA has alleged the passenger attempted to hug and kiss the passenger seated next to her before trying to escape the aircraft mid-flight and repeatedly biting a fellow passenger.

Delta A330neo
The passenger was on a Delta flight to Las Vegas. Photo: Airbus

The passengers in question will have 30 days after receiving the FAA's letter to respond to the agency.

Record-breaking fines for unruly passengers

According to the US Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), over 1,080 passenger incidents have occurred so far this year. Investigations are underway for 309 cases, with 80 referred to the FBI for Criminal Review.

All crimes committed on an aircraft are considered federal crimes and may face investigation by the FBI. A spokesperson for the FAA explained to Simple Flying the process for handling aggressive or violent passengers:

Historically, the agency has addressed unruly passenger incidents using a variety of methods ranging from warnings and counseling to civil penalties.

Under the zero tolerance policy, the FAA will not address these cases with warnings or counseling. The agency will pursue legal enforcement action against any passenger who assaults, threatens, intimidates, or interferes with airline crew members.

FAA can propose up to $37,000 per violation for unruly passenger cases, and an isolated incident can result in multiple violations. The maximum civil penalty per violation previously stood at $25,000.

A no-fly list is not out of the question.

In his interview with The View, Mr. Buttigieg refused to rule out a nationwide no-fly list when questioned on the subject. There have been calls from Delta Air Lines to establish such a database. The legacy carrier submitted more than 900 banned names to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to pursue civil penalties last year.