Surprising Reasons You Can Get Kicked Off of A Plane
We’ve all seen the footage of unruly passengers on airplanes getting escorted off. Usually it’s because they’ve been violent, or are inebriated and cause problems. However, there are some lesser known reasons you can get kicked off of a plane. Here are some things that could get you escorted off of your next flight.
-
Dress Code Violations
-
Non-Compliance with Crew Instructions
-
Intoxication Before Takeoff
-
Seat Disputes
-
Emotional Support Animals
-
Visible Illness
-
Disruptive Behavior
The days of dressing up for a flight are long gone, however, airlines reserve the right to enforce a dress code to maintain a comfortable environment for all passengers. In 2024, two women were removed from a Spirit Airlines flight for wearing crop tops, leading to public outcry and discussions about airline dress codes.
This one seems pretty obvious to me, a rule follower, however, it may seem surprising to some. Failure to comply with crew instructions are seen as a safety risk. You won’t just be kicked off of the flight—according to the FAA “Passengers who interfere with the performance of a crewmember’s duties by assaulting or intimidating that crewmember are subject to criminal fines, imprisonment for up to 20 years, or both.”
Please, limit your alcoholic beverage consumption at the airport. If the crew deems you too drunk to fly, you can be asked to leave. Again, it is considered a safety risk to have an intoxicated passenger on the flight.
Sit in the seat you were assigned, and if you happen to take the wrong seat and someone asks you to move, simply admit your mistake and head to the correct one. Refusing to move from a seat that is not on your boarding pass can result in your removal from the plane.
People love to claim their pets as emotional support animals to get them onto the plane. However, in 2021, the DoT ruled that ESA’s no longer count as service animals. Unfortunately, if you want to bring your emotional support pet with you, you’ll have to pay the regular fees for bringing a pet on board.
If you are boarding a plane and can barely stand, or are puking uncontrollably, the crew can ask you to leave the plane (or not board at all). Anyone showing symptoms of contagious illnesses may be denied boarding or removed to prevent the potential spread of infections.
This is probably the most well-known and well-documented reason. Any form of disruptive behavior can result in being kicked off a flight. Excessive complaining, verbal conflicts, or aggressive behaviour are all actions considered disruptive and could lead to deplaning.