NEED TO KNOW
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British Airways has updated its policies to ban filming crew members without consent
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Passengers violating the rules may face removal from flights, travel bans or legal action for criminal offenses
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The airline recently announced it will roll out Elon Musk’s Starlink internet on its flights over the next two years
A major international airline is cracking down on passengers filming inside their planes.
British Airways has updated its General Conditions of Carriage, stating that filming, livestreaming or photographing any crew members without their consent is considered “unacceptable behavior,” which could warrant serious consequences — including being banned by the airline.
PEOPLE has learned that British Airways is not stopping passengers from taking content altogether, but the airline has introduced the measure to maintain the privacy of their crew while on duty. When asked, the company did not point to any specific incidents that may have triggered this measure.
A British Airways aircraft on March 21, 2026
Credit: Thierry Monasse/Getty
According to The Independent, the updated policy is expected to cover content captured on devices, such as Meta glasses and GoPros.
However, the outlet noted that “most carriers generally say that taking pictures is fine so long as passengers respect the privacy of fellow travelers. However, rules can change on a flight-by-flight basis.”
Other forms of unacceptable behavior, per British Airways’ policy, include interfering with the crew while they carry out their duties; failing to obey the crew’s instructions relating to safety, security or health hazards; and behaving in a way that “causes discomfort, inconvenience, damage or injury to the crew or other passengers.”
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In the event of a passenger displaying unacceptable behavior, British Airways may choose to make them leave the aircraft, refuse to carry them for the remaining portions of their journey and even report the incident to authorities for any criminal offenses they may have committed.
If the plane is diverted due to a passenger’s behavior, they will be asked to pay “reasonable and proper costs” associated with the diversion, per the policy. The airline also said that it may choose to ban a passenger for filming crew members or fellow passengers without their consent.
Read the original article on People


