Delta Passenger Arrested in Memphis for Assaulting Crew and Police
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A Delta passenger faces multiple assault charges in Memphis after striking a flight attendant and biting a police officer during the boarding process.
Key Takeaways
- •Faces four charges including disorderly conduct and two counts of assault on a first responder.
- •Caused a 37-minute delay for Delta Air Lines flight DL-82 at Memphis International Airport.
- •Highlights the FAA's permanent "Zero Tolerance" policy, which allows for fines up to $37,000 per violation.
- •Occurs amid continued high rates of air rage, with the FAA receiving 2,102 unruly passenger reports in 2024.
A passenger was arrested at Memphis International Airport (MEM) on February 17, 2026, following a disruptive incident aboard a Delta Air Lines (DL) flight. The passenger, identified by the Memphis Police Department as 29-year-old Jessica Thomas, faces multiple charges after allegedly assaulting a flight attendant and a responding police officer prior to departure.
The incident occurred during the boarding process for Delta flight DL-82, bound for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), at Gate 12. According to the arrest report, Thomas first struck a flight attendant. When law enforcement was called to the scene, she reportedly bit one of the officers on the arm. The disturbance resulted in a 37-minute delay for the flight, according to publicly available flight data.
Charges and Immediate Consequences
Following the altercation, Thomas was removed from the aircraft and taken into custody. The Memphis Police Department has charged her with disorderly conduct, assault, and two counts of assault on a first responder. Records from the Shelby County Jail show that her bond was set at $2,500. The incident is a stark example of unruly passenger behavior, a persistent issue for the aviation industry.
This event falls directly under the purview of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and its stringent policies regarding interference with flight crew members. The FAA’s “Zero Tolerance” policy, which was made permanent on April 20, 2022, allows the agency to pursue legal action against passengers who exhibit disruptive or violent behavior. Under this policy, the FAA can propose civil penalties of up to $37,000 per violation.
Regulatory and Legal Framework
Beyond civil penalties, interfering with a flight crew is a federal crime. Federal law, specifically 49 U.S.C. § 46504, makes it a felony to assault, threaten, or intimidate a flight crew member, with a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison. This is further reinforced by Federal Aviation Regulations 14 CFR § 91.11 and 121.580, which prohibit any interference with crewmember duties.
The FAA has actively worked to enforce these rules, establishing a partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to ensure criminal prosecution for the most severe cases. Since late 2021, the FAA has referred over 310 cases to the FBI for potential criminal charges, signaling a coordinated federal response to such incidents.
Broader Industry Trends
The arrest in Memphis is part of a continuing trend of elevated unruly passenger incidents since 2020. While numbers have decreased from the peak of 5,973 reports in 2021, the 2,102 cases reported to the FAA in 2024 remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels; for comparison, there were 1,161 incidents in 2019. Data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a trade association for the world's airlines, shows a global increase, with reported incidents rising from one per 568 flights in 2022 to one per 480 flights in 2023. The official FAA unruly passenger statistics provide detailed data on the ongoing issue.
Industry groups and flight attendant unions have frequently cited alcohol consumption as a significant contributing factor to air rage incidents. This has led to calls for airports to limit the sale of “to-go” alcoholic beverages that passengers can carry onto aircraft.
Why This Matters
This incident underscores the serious operational and safety challenges that unruly passengers pose to airlines and airports. It highlights the robust legal and regulatory framework in place to protect crew and passengers, reinforcing that assaults on aviation personnel carry severe consequences, including federal charges. For the industry, each event serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for de-escalation training and consistent enforcement of federal zero-tolerance policies to maintain safety in air travel.
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Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.
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