Two Air Rage Incidents Raise the Question: Why Are There Still So Many Unruly Airline Passengers?

I was just interviewed on NewsNation (embedded below) to talk about the ongoing issue of unruly airline passengers and there’s one thing I want to make clear right up front: the numbers have gone way down since 2021.

According to FAA data, there were a record 5,973 reports of unruly passengers in 2021, many linked to pandemic-era mask mandates. By contrast, that number dropped to 2,455 in 2022, 2,076 in 2023, and 2,102 in 2024 and just 637 cases so far in 2025. The FAA has referred 43 of the most serious 2024 cases to the FBI for potential criminal prosecution. That’s progress.

So why does it still feel like we’re hearing about a new mid-air meltdown every week?

The Viral Video Era of Air Rage

The answer might be sitting in your pocket: your smartphone. With almost everyone carrying a camera and social media accounts, a single incident can now go viral in minutes, no matter how rare it actually is. Combine that with clearer airport security footage and 24/7 media coverage, and the perception of chaos can far outpace the actual numbers.

Take the recent incident at Miami International Airport, for example. A Canadian passenger, Cameron Dylan McDougall, had already been kicked off a Copa Airlines flight from Panama to Toronto after allegedly assaulting someone onboard. The flight diverted to Miami, but rather than being arrested, he was allowed to purchase a new ticket for the next day.

That’s when the real chaos unfolded. Caught on video, McDougall randomly attacked multiple people, including a TSA officer, punching one agent in the face three times. It took several agents and a sheriff’s deputy to subdue him. He has since pleaded guilty and is expected to be sentenced shortly. Watch the video embedded below.

Canadian man Cameron McDougall attacks TSA agents in Miami. He faces numerous federal and state charges including assault and resisting officers. pic.twitter.com/fWNuJKQoYk

— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) May 30, 2025

Another incident this week involved a Kansas man on an American Airlines flight from Hartford to Chicago. He allegedly stood up mid-flight, ripped off his shirt and dragged a seated flight attendant down the aisle yelling “You’re coming with me.” The plane had to return to Connecticut where the man, Julius Jordan Priester, was taken into custody.

The Real Problem: Lack of Accountability

Here’s where I think the system is still failing: accountability. McDougall should never have been allowed to freely walk the terminal and book another flight after forcing a plane to divert. Priester should never have gotten the opportunity to attack a crew member in midair. Once someone disrupts a flight, there should be clear consequences:

• Immediate arrest
• Placement on a global no-fly list
• Mandatory restitution for the airline and diverted passengers
• Jail time – real, hard time

We have the tools. The FAA can already impose civil penalties up to $37,000 per violation. But clearly, they’re not enforcing it if individuals can still endanger crew and passengers without facing real-world consequences.

Safety Is Everyone’s Priority

Flying is stressful enough as it is. Passengers deserve to feel safe and airline crew members deserve to do their jobs without fear of being assaulted. The numbers may be down but until every incident is treated with the seriousness it deserves, the threat remains.

Let’s not confuse viral content with prevalence, but let’s also not look away from the core issue: a system that often fails to hold perpetrators accountable.

KEEP READING

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–10 airport security hacks every traveler needs to know
–Mom shares hilarious reason she’s not getting TSA Precheck anytime soon
–How to get a full bottle of water through airport security

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