by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:15 AM ET, Wed May 27, 2026
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $165,000 fine against Alaska Airlines for allegedly allowing intoxicated individuals to board the airline’s planes in 11 separate incidents.
According to the official release from the FAA, the civil penalty requires the airline to respond in the next 30 days.
“FAA regulations prohibit airlines from allowing anyone who appears to be intoxicated to board an aircraft,” the administration wrote, explaining that Alaska Airlines allegedly allowed intoxicated travelers to board on 11 flights between February 2024 and February 2025.
"Since the FAA shared these concerns with us over a year ago, we made meaningful changes to ensure compliance with the FAA’s expectations – including enhanced training for all flight attendants and customer service agents," Alaska Airlines told Reuters on Tuesday. "We respect the results of the FAA’s audit and are confident in the changes that have been in place for the last year to ensure our shared standards are being met."
In April, the FAA also posted fines of $255,000 to American Airlines and $304,000 to Southwest Airlines for drug and alcohol-related regulations concerning employees.
There are questions, however, as to whether the fines are nominal slaps on the wrist for the major airlines.
During the Biden Administration, for example, airlines were hit with some of the largest fines in history. American Airlines was fined $16.7 million for its treatment of disabled passengers and their mobility aids in recent years, which the Trump Administration later waived for the major air carrier. The administration also waived Southwest's $11 million fine for its meltdown in December, 2022.
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