How much can unruly behavior cost you? For one woman, the answer runs into several thousands– $38,952, to be exact.
That’s the amount that a US District judge has ordered a Hawaii-based woman to pay American Airlines in restitution for the delay and flight disruption that she caused during a 2022 flight.
Cayla Farris, 29, was on board an American Airlines flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu (HNL) on February 13, 2022.
Authorities said that, during the flight, Farris started using profanity and threatened the flight crew and fellow passengers.
As a result of Farris’ unruly behavior, the flight’s cabin crew were unable to carry on with their duties, and the flight’s pilot decided to turn the aircraft back to PHX airport.
In September 2023, Farris pleaded guilty to a charge of interference with a flight crew member.
Aside from the amount she must pay to American Airlines, Farris was also sentenced to over three months of time served in connection with her actions, plus three years of supervised probation.
During the probation period, Farris will not be able to board an aircraft without obtaining approval from authorities.