Airline Blacklists: How to Avoid Them and How to Get Off

Getting on an airline's blacklist is not just a formal reprimand, but a real legal block that can ruin your plans for years to come. If you find yourself in such a registry, the system simply won't allow you to complete a booking: neither on the website, nor through aggregators, nor at the airport ticket office.

To ensure your travels bring only joy, it's better to buy tickets to Gorno-Altaysk on Kupi.com or book tickets to Kaliningrad on Kupi.com in advance, strictly adhering to aviation safety rules. Let's delve into the details of how “forbidden lists” are structured in 2026, what offenses lead to being placed on them, and if there's a chance for “amnesty”.

What can get you on the blacklist?

Airlines are commercial entities that are obligated to ensure the safety of all people on board. According to the Air Code, they have the legal right to refuse carriage to those who have previously crossed the line.

Aggression and disorderly conduct

This is the most common reason. This includes not only fights, but also obscene language directed at the crew, harassment of passengers, or threats. In 2026, in-cabin video surveillance systems and flight attendant body cameras allow such incidents to be recorded in high quality, serving as irrefutable evidence in court.

Failure to follow pilot's commands

The aircraft commander (PIC) is the highest authority on board. If they or a flight attendant ask you to take your seat, fasten your seatbelt, or stop using an electronic device during taxiing, and you ignore the request – this is considered a threat to flight safety. Repeated refusal to take your seat during ascent is a direct path to the violator registry.

Smoking and “vaping”

Many mistakenly believe that e-cigarettes or tobacco heating systems are allowed since there's no open flame. This is a myth. Smoke detectors in lavatories react to any vapor. Smoking on board is not only a huge fine but also a guaranteed entry into the list of undesirable persons for most major carriers. 

“Jokes” about safety

The phrase “I have a bomb in my bag,” even whispered in the boarding line or on the plane, triggers the anti-terrorism security protocol. The plane will be removed from the flight, luggage will be searched, and the joker will be billed for the flight delay (which can amount to millions of rubles) and permanently banned from flying with that airline.

How the registry works in Russia

In Russia, the right of airlines to maintain blacklists is legally enshrined.

• Blocking period: the period of being on the blacklist is 3 years (previously 1 year). This applies to all serious violations recorded by the police.

• Legal basis: inclusion in the list occurs only after an administrative offense ruling or court decision comes into force. The airline is obliged to notify you in writing of your inclusion in the registry.

• Data exchange: starting in 2026, Russian airlines gained the legal ability to exchange lists of violators. If you are blacklisted by one major carrier, there is a high probability that other companies in the group or alliance will also refuse to sell you a ticket.

Are there exceptions?

The law provides for situations where even such a passenger has the right to board. The airline cannot refuse if:

1. You are flying for high-tech medical treatment or returning from it.

2. You are accompanying a passenger with a disability to a place of treatment.

3. The reason for the trip is the funeral of a close relative (death certificate and documents confirming kinship are required).

4. The airline is the only carrier that can take you to your destination (relevant for remote regions of the North and Far East).

To exercise this right, you will need to come to the airline's office in person with original documents confirming the urgency of the situation.

How to get off the blacklist?

If you realize your mistake or believe you were unfairly blacklisted, there are several solutions:

• Expiration of term. The most reliable option. After 1 or 3 years (depending on the severity of the offense), the airline is obliged to automatically remove you from the list. The data is deleted, and you become a regular customer again.

• Judicial appeal. If you are sure that you did not violate the rules, or the violation recording procedure was carried out with errors (you were not informed of the protocol, there were no witnesses), you can file a lawsuit. If the court overturns the administrative ruling, the airline will be obliged to remove you from the stop-list.

• Settlement agreement. In cases of material damage (e.g., damage to a seat), full compensation for losses and an official apology may prompt the airline to reconsider your presence on the list, although legally they are not obligated to do so.

Remember that flight attendants are primarily safety specialists, not waiters. A smile and adherence to simple rules will help you avoid unnecessary stress. May your flight history contain only miles and pleasant memories, not legal protocols. Have a pleasant journey!