In an unfortunate incident, a physical altercation unfolded on a Southwest Airlines flight from Oakland to Kauai on Monday. The altercation, which involved two passengers exchanging blows mid-air, has raised concerns about the increasing number of unruly incidents aboard airplanes.

Transportation authorities have shared footage of the brawl and reminded passengers that such behavior is not tolerated. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, unruly passengers can face criminal prosecution and hefty fines of up to $37,000.

Upon landing in Lihue, Kauai, police officers responded to the scene but no criminal charges were pressed. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently assessing potential fines for the individuals involved, as reported by the "Today" show.

Eyewitnesses on the flight recounted the chaos they witnessed. Passengers heard yelling, screaming, and punches being thrown before a flight attendant and fellow travelers intervened to separate the combatants. One passenger, Jim Wieder, expressed his nervousness, highlighting the danger of such altercations at 35,000 feet in the air.

According to CBS News, the son of one of the men involved explained that his father had confronted an allegedly intoxicated passenger who was bothering his mother. However, regardless of the underlying cause, aviation expert Peter Forman emphasized that an airplane is not the place for physical altercations.

Forman further explained the potential consequences of such incidents, stating that turning a plane around incurs significant costs, including fuel expenses, delays, disruptions to travelers' schedules, missed connections, and more.

The FAA has reported a concerning rise in threatening and violent incidents on flights since 2021. As of February 11, 2024, there have already been 206 such incidents this year. While the number has decreased from the all-time high of 5,973 incidents reported in 2021, it is still higher than pre-pandemic rates, according to FAA data.

Hawaii-based flight attendants expressed surprise that such a brawl occurred on a flight to the vacation destination. They recalled that in their 45 years of flying, incidents of this nature were uncommon, with minor incidents such as a passenger arguing over a couple of peanuts being the worst that they had encountered.

As the investigation continues and potential fines are considered by the FAA, this incident serves as a stark reminder that unruly behavior on airplanes jeopardizes the safety and comfort of all passengers. Authorities are urging travelers to remain respectful and mindful of their conduct while onboard flights.