JetBlue Denies Boarding to Passengers After Lounge Wine Joke, Prompting Questions About Airline Rules and FAA Intoxication Policies
NEW YORK – A JetBlue passenger says she and her travel partner were blocked from boarding their flight after making a joke about drinking wine inside the American Express airport lounge while waiting out a delay. The incident, posted by TikTok user Toni (@roozaayyy), has ignited a broader debate over airline discretion, intoxication rules, and what actually qualifies as a safety threat.
The video, which has gained more than 15,000 views, shows a JetBlue employee firmly denying boarding to Toni and her companion, Emilio, after Emilio casually mentioned they had passed time by sipping wine in the lounge.
What Sparked the Boarding Denial?
According to Toni, her partner made a harmless comment about having a glass of wine while waiting out a three-hour flight delay. But the moment the JetBlue worker heard the remark, the situation escalated.
Emilio can be heard saying, “I offered myself up to do a breathalyzer. Could you please tell us what was offensive?”
The employee responds by comparing Emilio’s comment to using the word bomb in a federal building, stating:
“No one can fly who appears to be intoxicated. You voluntarily giving that information, we have to take it.”
The implication: even joking about alcohol consumption can trigger an airline’s safety protocol.
FAA Rules Give Airlines Broad Power
Legally, the JetBlue worker is not wrong.
Under FAA Regulation Section 121.575, airlines are prohibited from boarding any passenger who appears to be intoxicated, and the law gives airlines extremely wide discretion in determining what “appears intoxicated” means.
There is no defined blood alcohol threshold.
There is no requirement for breathalyzer testing.
There is no formal standard airlines must prove.
Airline staff can act based solely on:
- Passenger comments
- Perceived behavior
- Staff judgment
Which means even a joke about drinking can be grounds for removal.
@roozaayyy Not them calling us domestic terrorist because we wanted to hang out in the AMEX lounge and have two wines after the flight was delayed three hours
What Happens When You’re Denied Boarding?
Passengers denied boarding for suspected intoxication typically face:
- Removal from the gate area
- Loss of their ticket
- No guaranteed refund
- Possible airline bans
While individuals can request written documentation of the denial and file complaints, courts have historically upheld airlines’ right to make judgment calls in these situations.
Given precedent, it’s unlikely JetBlue’s decision will be overturned.
TikTok Viewers Question the Rule and JetBlue’s Response
Many commenters expressed disbelief that a lounge wine joke could be treated as a safety threat, especially in airports where alcohol is sold everywhere, including onboard flights.
One viewer wrote:
“Why serve alcohol at the airport if it’s against the rules to let you on the plane if you have had a drink?”
Another commented:
“Joking about intoxication and joking about weapons are two different things.”
Others noted the contradiction:
“Airlines serve liquor on the plane. If being drunk was such an issue, they wouldn’t serve it mid-flight.”
A few defended the staff, noting airlines face pressure to prevent unruly passenger incidents, which have surged nationwide in recent years.
Toni Says They Weren’t Intoxicated
In her video, Toni maintains neither she nor Emilio were impaired, reiterating that Emilio even volunteered to take a breathalyzer to prove it. She says the JetBlue worker declined the offer.
The couple was not permitted to board the flight, and Toni says they continue to seek clarification from the airline.
BroBible has contacted JetBlue for comment but has not yet received a response.
If you’ve experienced challenges boarding a flight due to alcohol policies or airline discretion, share your story with our newsroom and follow ongoing coverage at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
