A Southwest Airlines flight attendant lost two teeth in a physical attack by a passenger on a plane out of Sacramento, Calif., last weekend, according to a letter the flight attendant's union sent to the airline.
The union is calling on Southwest Airlines to take steps to help crew members control unruly passengers as the number of misconduct incidents rises amid the pandemic. The union said there were 477 misconduct incidents by passengers on Southwest Airlines aircraft between April 8 and May 15.
"Today’s traveling environment requires a new level of firmness in both tone and direction to ensure proper control in the cabin of our aircraft as the attitudes and behaviors of the flying public have, unfortunately, declined," the union said. "It must be noted that Southwest Flight Attendants are doing all they can do to ensure compliance while creating a safe environment for all passengers and crew, but they also need the support and tools required to prevent injury to ourselves and others. We ask for your help in directing Management to support Flight Attendants as they work to maintain order on the aircraft by giving them the benefit of the doubt."
The airline confirmed in a statement that a flight attendant was physically assaulted by a passenger on Flight 700 from Sacramento to San Diego on the morning of May 23.
The passenger repeatedly ignored standard in-flight instructions, such as refusing to put the tray table in an upright position and not wearing a seat belt, and became verbally and physically abusive upon landing, Southwest said.
Police met the flight upon arrival in San Diego and the passenger was taken into custody.
"We do not condone or tolerate verbal or physical abuse of our Flight Crews, who are responsible for the safety of our passengers," Southwest Airlines said.
The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday that airlines have reported 2,500 incidents of unruly passengers this year, including 1,900 cases in which passengers refused to wear face masks, which are required by federal rule. The FAA provided those numbers as it announced it was seeking civil penalties totaling $54,500 against five passengers for behavior ranging from refusing to wear a mask to assaulting flight attendants.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.