Unruly passengers began the JetBlue flight to SoCal because of the mask

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 toward airline employees.

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

The airline says the man and woman traveling with him refused to comply with the rules of the mask despite being asked several times.

The Sept. 8 flight was scheduled to fly from Ft. Lauderdale to San Diego. The man and woman were removed before takeoff.

JetBlue says they will be banned from flying back to the airline.

In a statement, the airline noted that it provides training to crew members on how to handle passengers who refuse to comply with mask mandates.

“If a customer refuses to wear a face mask after being asked, crew members will work to minimize the situation to get compliance before removing it,” JetBlue said. “The safety of each client and crew member is our top priority and we must work together to fulfill the mandate of the federal mask during the voyage.”

The incident occurred amid a sharp rise in unruly passengers on U.S. flights, with most incidents related to mask compliance.

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On Thursday, federal officials said they are doubling the fines for people who violate rules that require masks on planes, as well as trains and public transportation.

First-time offenders would face a potential fine of $ 500 to $ 1,000 and second-time offenders could pay between $ 1,000 and $ 3,000 according to rules the Transportation Security Administration said will take effect Friday.

Currently, the fine starts at $ 250 and can reach $ 1,500 for repeat offenders.

“If you break the rules, get ready to pay,” President Joe Biden said.

The president also rebuked people who have been taking a rage over the mask requirement on flight crews.

“And by the way, show some respect,” he said. “The rage you see on TV towards the service guests and others who do their job is wrong. It’s ugly.”

The sanctions of the mask are independent of the civil sanctions that the Federal Aviation Administration may impose for undisciplined conduct.

The mandate of the mask has been controversial and has led to many tense encounters between passengers who do not want to wear a mask and flight attendants who have asked to apply the rule. The Federal Aviation Administration said last month that airlines reported 3,889 incidents involving unruly passengers this year and that 2,867, or 74 percent, had to refuse to wear a mask.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.