Unruly passengers threw JetBlue flight to SoCal over mask argument

SAN DIEGO (KABC) – Two passengers were kicked off a JetBlue flight from Florida to Southern California after refusing to wear masks and when one became physically aggressive towards airline employees .

Video filmed by another passenger shows a man arguing loudly with crew members, insulting and pushing them at one point.

The airline claims the man and woman traveling with him refused to abide by the mask rules despite being repeatedly asked.

The September 8 flight was to depart from Fort. Lauderdale in San Diego. The man and woman were abducted prior to take-off.

JetBlue says they will again be banned from flying with the airline.

In a statement, the airline said it was providing training to crew members on how to deal with passengers who refuse to comply with mask warrants.

“If a customer refuses to wear a face mask after being invited, the crew members will endeavor to defuse the situation to the best of their ability to comply prior to withdrawal,” JetBlue said. “The safety of every guest and crew member is our top priority, and we must work together to follow the federal mandate of the mask while traveling.”

The incident came amid a surge in unruly passenger numbers on US flights, with most incidents related to mask compliance.

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Federal officials on Thursday said they were doubling fines for people breaking rules requiring masks on planes, as well as on trains and public transportation.

Primary offenders could face a potential fine of $ 500 to $ 1,000 and secondary offenders could pay $ 1,000 to $ 3,000 under rules that the Transportation Security Administration said will come into effect on Friday.

The fine currently starts at $ 250 and can go up to $ 1,500 for repeat offenders.

“If you break the rules, be prepared to pay,” President Joe Biden said.

The president also berated those who expressed their anger at the requirement for masks for flight crews.

“And by the way, show some respect,” he said. “The anger you see on TV towards flight attendants and other people doing their jobs is bad. It’s ugly.”

Mask penalties are separate from any civil penalties that the Federal Aviation Administration may impose for unruly behavior.

The mask’s mandate has been controversial and has led to many tense encounters between passengers who do not want to wear masks and flight attendants urged to enforce the rule. The Federal Aviation Administration said last month that airlines reported 3,889 incidents involving unruly passengers this year, and 2,867 – or 74% – involved refusal to wear a mask.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.