15 Reasons You Can Get Kicked Off a Plane

We’ve all seen the videos — passengers behaving abhorrently on planes, then getting kicked off for their antics. Violence is never the answer, but on planes? Well, that’s grounds for removal.

But being aggressive on a plane to fellow passengers or crew is far from the only thing that can get you kicked off your flight. In fact, airlines publish a whole laundry list of such transgressions. Whenever you purchase a plane ticket, you agree to an airline’s contract of carriage — the fine print you probably don’t often read. Within it is a section called “refusal to transport,” and that’s where you can find the details on what might get you kicked off a plane.

If you’re wondering what happens after you get kicked off, it’s bad news. “If a passenger has several ‘incidents,’ they can be put on a ‘no-fly’ list and will not be able to book travel for a period of time, or permanently if the infraction is serious or dangerous enough,” former flight attendant Kevin Clark tells Travel + Leisure. He adds that for issues regarding assault or battery, airport security will meet the passenger when they get off the plane and may turn them over to local law enforcement, who could arrest them.

While most passengers handle air travel just fine, we’re sharing some reasons people get kicked off flights below. And take this as a warning — please don’t try any of them on your next flight.

1. Being Violent or Abusive

This should go without saying, but being violent or abusive in just about any context is grounds for removal — and potentially arrest. Passengers who are violent toward other passengers or crew will be removed from the plane and handed over to airport security, who might involve the police.

2. Verbally Harassing Crew or Other Passengers

If you’re verbally harassing an individual on a plane, whether in a violent manner, a sexual manner, or otherwise, you can be kicked off. Most airlines have a zero-tolerance policy.

3. Being Intoxicated or Under the Influence of Drugs

Don’t drink too much in the lounge — being intoxicated (or under the influence of drugs) can be grounds for removal. “We once had a very drunk passenger in first class flying to London, and when we refused to serve him more alcohol, he stood up and defecated on our first class three-tier folding cart when the flight attendant went to the galley to get more bread and salad,” says Clark.

4. Wearing Inappropriate or Offensive Clothing

Many airlines have conditions for passenger attire in their contracts of carriage, and they typically prohibit clothing with everything from inappropriate language to lewd images. Clark described once having to remove a passenger who was wearing a “distracting and vulgar” shirt from a flight.

5. Being Barefoot

There are many reasons you shouldn’t go barefoot on a plane. Not only is it gross to others onboard, but the plane floor itself is totally unhygienic. Plus, in case of emergency, it’s wise to have shoes on so you can evacuate safely and quickly.

6. Having Poor Hygiene

No one wants to sit next to a smelly, dirty passenger. Per United’s contract of carriage, “Passengers who have or cause a malodorous condition” may be kicked off, and most major airlines have a similar clause. There is, however, an exclusion for those with disabilities or health conditions.

7. Not Submitting to a Search or Providing ID When Asked

If a crew member asks to search your bags for security reasons, you must comply. Similarly, you must be able to produce a valid ID when asked, too. Per Jetblue’s contract of carriage, “Passengers who refuse to permit a search of his or her person or property for explosives or for concealed, deadly, or dangerous weapons or other prohibited articles, or who refuse on request to produce positive identification” may be removed from the flight.

8. Failing to Comply with Crew Orders

On that note, you need to do pretty much anything the crew asks beyond security searches and ID checks. Delta’s contract of carriage states that the airline can remove a passenger if “the passenger interferes with the flight crew’s activities or fails to obey the instruction of any member of the flight crew.”

9. Misbehaving Service Animal

Service animals are permitted on planes, but if their behavior is detrimental to passengers and crew, the animal and their owner might be removed from the aircraft.

10. Smoking

Passengers have been banned from smoking on aircraft for decades. If you’re caught smoking — and that includes vapes — you can be kicked off the plane, fined under federal law, or even put on a no-fly list.

11. Not Sitting in Your Seat With Your Seatbelt Buckled

Airlines reserve the right to remove passengers who can’t safely buckle into their seats. Planes have seatbelt extenders if they’re too short, but if that doesn’t work, then the airline may have to remove the passenger for safety reasons.

12. Appearing to Be “Mentally Deranged or Mentally Incapacitated”

The American Airlines contract of carriage specifically mentions the potential removal of “persons who are mentally deranged or mentally incapacitated.” There are exceptions — generally speaking, those who are mentally incapacitated may be able to travel with an escort.

13. Being Nine Months Pregnant (Without a Doctor’s Note)

If you’re heavily pregnant — typically in your ninth month, though specific details differ between airlines — you may not be permitted to fly without a doctor’s note. So if you appear to be heavily pregnant, be prepared to provide documentation that demonstrates you’re fit to fly.

14. Having Health Concerns That Might Require Medical Attention During the Flight

You should be generally medically sound to fly, as mid-flight medical care is limited. American Airlines reserves the right to remove “Persons who would require an unusual amount or unreasonable type of assistance or medical treatment en route, confirmed by carrier physician, unless accompanied by a ticketed passenger capable of giving necessary assistance.” Along those lines, you can’t fly if you have a contagious disease.

15. Talking on the Phone

Once the boarding door is shut, it’s time to hang up your call. If you stay on a call after a crewmember asks you to hang up, they do have grounds to kick you off the plane.