American Airlines passenger ordered to pay huge restitution after forcing flight to be diverted

[Lee]

Usually don't ever hear what happens to people that interrupt flights like this. Need more of this type of punishment.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/american-airlines-passenger-ordered-pay-huge-restitution-after-forcing-flight-diverted

Quote

 

A Hawaiian woman has been ordered to pay nearly $40,000 in restitution to American Airlines after authorities say she threatened staff and fellow passengers onboard and forced a flight to Hawaii to return to Phoenix.

According to a press release from the United States District Attorney's Office, District of Arizona, on Tuesday, United States District Judge Susan M. Brnovich ordered 29-year-old Cayla Farris to pay $38,952 in restitution to American Airlines for delay-related costs due to her actions. 

In addition, the allegedly unruly passenger was given a time-served sentence of three and a half months, plus three months of supervised probation.

During her term of supervised release, Farris will not be permitted to travel by commercial aircraft without prior approval.

During the flight, Farris allegedly used profanity and threatened the flight crew and passengers onboard. 

Due to her uncontrollable behavior, the flight crew was unable to continue their duties. 

The captain ultimately decided to turn the plane back to Phoenix. 

The disturbance also caused several flights to be re-routed to Hawaii.

 

[MikeB]

6 hours ago, Lee said:

In addition, the allegedly unruly passenger was given a time-served sentence of three and a half months, plus three months of supervised probation.

I think that last bit is a mistake, there are multiple articles that state she got 3 years probation or supervised release and during that time she is required to ask permission from the airlines before being allowed to fly. AA should ban her for life.

District of Arizona | Woman Ordered to Pay Over $38,000 in Restitution for Interference with Flight Crew on Hawaii-Bound Flight | United States Department of Justice

Also use of the word "allegedly" is wrong since she pled guilty.

Edited November 16, 2023 by MikeB
added

[Mike J]

10 hours ago, MikeB said:

I think that last bit is a mistake, there are multiple articles that state she got 3 years probation or supervised release and during that time she is required to ask permission from the airlines before being allowed to fly. AA should ban her for life.

District of Arizona | Woman Ordered to Pay Over $38,000 in Restitution for Interference with Flight Crew on Hawaii-Bound Flight | United States Department of Justice

Also use of the word "allegedly" is wrong since she pled guilty.

Your article is consistent with article posted by the OP as far as sentencing.  Appears she was probably arrested and spent 3.6 months in prison prior to pleading guilty.

<snip>

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Cayla Farris, 29, of Hawaii, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to a time-served sentence of 3.6 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

<end snip>

[MikeB]

1 hour ago, Mike J said:

Your article is consistent with article posted by the OP as far as sentencing. 

The referenced article by Fox Business says 3 months probation or SR, she got 3 years. Multiple news organizations say same.

[OnMyWay]

On 11/16/2023 at 1:05 PM, Lee said:

Usually don't ever hear what happens to people that interrupt flights like this. Need more of this type of punishment.

Agree.  Our society is so F'd up that this behavior is rampant.  Need to make them pay a big price so that others will think twice.

[hk blues]

She should be banned by all airlines from flying again, not just AA. 

[Snowy79]

From the Justice web site. 

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Cayla Farris, 29, of Hawaii, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to a time-served sentence of 3.6 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. During her term of supervised release, Farris will not be permitted to travel by commercial aircraft without prior approval. Farris was ordered to pay $38,952.00 in restitution to American Airlines for delay-related costs due to her actions. Farris pleaded guilty on September 12, 2023, to Interference with a Flight Crew Member.

On February 13, 2022, Farris boarded an American Airlines flight from Phoenix to Honolulu, Hawaii. During the flight, Farris used profanity and threatened the flight crew and passengers onboard. As a result of her behavior, the flight crew was unable to continue their duties. The captain ultimately decided to turn the plane back to Phoenix. For passengers onboard, this disturbance caused several flights to be re-routed to Hawaii.  

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Phoenix Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:           CR-22-01393-PHX-SMB
RELEASE NUMBER:    2023-176_Farris

https://www.justice.gov/usao-az/pr/woman-ordered-pay-over-38000-restitution-interference-flight-crew-hawaii-bound-flight

[Joey G]

It started with not wanting to wear a mask on the plane. Kinda surprised many news outlets left that out. Not saying it was an excuse, but back in the day real reporting told the whole story, not the click bait version.

Several news agencies (i.e. FoxBusiness) initially reported her as being "Hawaiian", in fact she was from Hawaii, but not Hawaiian. They later took out the ethnicity.