You Don't Have To Be On The Federal No-Fly List To Be Banned From An Airline. Here's Why
Most travelers have heard of the infamous Federal No-Fly list, which is derived from the U.S. Terrorist Screening Database — meaning, if you're on it, you will not be allowed to fly within, to, from, or even over the United States. But one thing you may not have known airlines are allowed to do is ban you from flying, even if the government hasn't. Airlines keep their own no-fly lists of passengers who have essentially been "canceled" from using their services.
Unlike the government's list, which bans people perceived to be security threats to the country, airline no-fly lists are filled with people who have had their passenger card revoked simply for being, well, jerks. There are a few reasons an airline might mark you with the scarlet "no-fly" designation — for example, unruly conduct, not following crew instructions, verbal or physical abuse of crew or fellow passengers, or breaking the rules (such as by smoking on board).
In recent years, incidents of disruptive behavior on airlines have increased, prompting carriers to enforce stricter ways to handle disorderly passengers. So, even if you're not a security risk, bad behavior or even simply being disrespectful could quickly land you on an airline's internal blacklist.
What happens if you're banned from an airline and how to avoid it
Being banned from an airline is more than just embarrassing — it can majorly impact your travel options. Plus, once you're on the no-fly list, reversing that decision can take a long time as you wait for the airline to review your appeal. As of early 2025, getting banned from one airline doesn't prevent you from booking travel with another, but that could potentially change. Some airlines are in favor of sharing their internal ban lists in order to make a national list. A 2021 memo from Delta (via Forbes) explained, "A list of banned customers doesn't work as well if that customer can fly with another airline."
In the unfortunate situation that you do get banned by a carrier, the first thing you can do is contact the airline's customer service department. If you need to take it further, you can also file a complaint with the Department of Transportation.
Ultimately, the way to avoid getting your passenger card pulled is to be on your best behavior when flying. Follow the airline crew's instructions, think twice before drinking prior to getting on a plane, be respectful of crew and other passengers, and handle any disagreements calmly and courteously. If you have any issues, it's a good idea to wait until you land and make a formal complaint rather than escalate the situation during the flight.