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The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a fine of a quarter-million dollars against 
American Airlines for authorizing 12 flight attendants to fly when they had tested positive for alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine. The FAA says that the airline violated federal safety regulations between May 2019 and December 2023 by allowing the FAs to resume “safety-sensitive duties.”
The FAA says that after the FAs initially tested positive, AA failed to complete the legally required follow-up tests. American has been given 30 days to respond to the FAA from the date that the airline receives the official letter containing the alleged charges, according to an announcement on April 8.
The Allegations Against American Airlines
The FAA and Department of Transportation mandate a strict Return-to-Duty process for any critical employee who fails a drug or alcohol test. Crew involved in operating emergency exits and managing evacuations are expected to complete a five-step process before resuming duty. After immediate removal from duty, the employee must meet with a qualified Substance Abuse Professional for assessment.
After completing the SAP-prescribed plan, the employee must return for a follow-up evaluation. FAA regulations require that employees who fail a drug or alcohol test must pass a return-to-duty check and then undergo a minimum of six unannounced follow-up tests within the first 12 months, with monitoring potentially extending up to five years.
An American Airlines spokesperson made this statement to Newsweek after the revelation of the FAA’s charges:
“We are reviewing the FAA’s notice. The safety of our customers and team members is paramount. We take drug and alcohol testing seriously and collaborate with the FAA to address any issues.”
The Federal Aviation Administration Cracks Down
This action is part of a broader crackdown by the FAA. In the same week, the agency proposed a $304,272 fine against Southwest Airlines for similar lapses involving 11 employees, including pilots and mechanics. The agency also announced a $65,000 fine against Avelo Airlines and a $56,000 fine against Spring City Jet for failing to include crew members in random testing pools.
The basic policy for all US carriers is to conduct random testing at a minimum rate of 25% for drugs and 10% for alcohol. The FAA is focusing on ensuring enforcement by targeting operators with systemic failures in the testing and reporting program. An update to the policy in 2024 even extended to include foreign workers at maintenance bases outside the US who work on American planes.
The same 2024 policy change increased the fines for substance abuse and testing-related violations. An individual infraction can incur a penalty of over $100,000. The six-digit fines targeted at American and Southwest are combined totals of multiple violation fines. The FAA has warned that it is looking at further increasing penalty fees as well.
Southwest Airlines Could Face A $304,000 Fine Over Drug & Alcohol Testing Violations
The move is raising major safety and compliance concerns in US aviation.
Zero Tolerance For Intoxication In The Cockpit
Just over one year ago, one of the most dramatic incidents in recent history involving intoxication on the flight deck unfolded at Savannah International Airport (SAV). In January 2025, Captain David Allsop of Southwest Airlines was arrested on the Jet Bridge. Security agents had informed airport police that he smelled of alcohol while going through the crew check and after arriving at the plane before departure, he reportedly failed field sobriety tests.
Fortunately, there was no mishap or danger to the aircraft and passengers, but this incident was a dramatic example of how easily an intoxicated member of the air crew can make it all the way to the cockpit unless procedures are followed by every staff member at the airport. Allsop was later terminated by Southwest Airlines, and the FAA revoked his Pilot certification 2 months later. He eventually pleaded guilty and was sentenced to prison for 10 months.
It was revealed that the FAA failed to test air traffic controllers, in the wake of the fatal mishap it followed just two weeks later at Reagan National Airport (DCA). The tragic mishap of American Airlines flight 5324, which collided with an Army Blackhawk helicopter, killed 67 people. The investigation hearings with the National Transportation Safety Bureau brought to light the lapses in adherence to policy around substance control, even following one of the worst commercial aircraft crashes in the history of the United States.
