I don’t usually cover these kinds of stories, but I have never seen anything quite like this…
In this post:
A JetBlue crew’s wild report about passenger
ACARS (Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System) is the messaging system by which crews onboard aircraft can communicate with the operations folks at the airline on the ground. I’ve been meaning to write about the FlightDeck app, which lets the public see some of these messages, which are otherwise hard to access.
Well, a Reddit post flags one of the strangest ACARS messages that I’ve ever seen, which involves a redeye flight on March 27, 2026. Specifically, this happened on JetBlue flight B62858, from Phoenix (PHX) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL). I’ll let the message speak for itself (while removing commas):
PASSENGER IN 5C MINT IS MASTURBATING IN FLIGHT GAVE HIM A YELLOW TICKET HE IS A MOSAIC4 PLEASE INFORM BLUE WATCH ETC AND LET ME KNOW WHAT THE PROCEDURE WILL BE WHEN WE LAND I.E. POLICE OR SECURITY

I don’t even know what to make of this
A few thoughts and questions come to mind:
- Was this person just doing this out in the open, was there a lot of movement under the blanket, or how was this discovered on an overnight flight? For what it’s worth, 5C isn’t one of the solo “throne” seats, so this passenger had a seat mate
- He received a yellow ticket onboard, which is essentially a warning from the crew to cut out the behavior; it’s not clear based on the message whether the passenger stopped after receiving the warning
- With the class of service and elite status mentioned, one wonders if that may have factored into how this was handled on the ground; this passenger had JetBlue’s absolute highest elite tier, though last I checked, permission to masturbate is not an elite benefit (not even with the “Perks You Pick” concept)
I’m sure people will have conflicting takes as to how this kind of inflight activity should be handled. If a warning is issued and the passenger stops, should that be sufficient, with a note in their record (talk about an embarrassing note, though)? Or should the police still get involved, since this kind of activity in “public” isn’t appropriate under any circumstances.

Bottom line
A JetBlue crew sent an ACARS message to colleagues on the ground about a passenger’s behavior onboard a flight, while noting that he was in Mint, and a Mosaic 4 member. The crew reportedly issued him a yellow ticket (warning) onboard, and wanted to know whether police or security would meet the plane. Ouch to all of this.
Brings a whole other meaning to IFE
Clearly he didn't use headphones.
I wonder if the response would have been different if it was a woman masturbating.
You are sexist.
Whelp, no happy ending here
Speaking from experience, including their elite status in the message helps this go to the appropriate department so their status can be terminated.
The EP couple in 4E & 4F that thought they could woohoo all the way home from Vegas just because it was a lie flat seat… well they aren’t flying AA anymore. Happens more than you think
On their defense....
Well with all the devaluation AA did to their EP.
The couple just wanted a bang for their buck flying AA lieflat.
Self-fulfilMINT...
Tim Dunn does it on every of his Delta flight.
All he need is earnings call transcripts, 10-K, and a few DOT data spreadsheets.
Some customers REALLY like flying Mint.
He will have to answer to our Lord and Savior one day. He won’t like the outcome of his judgment.
Presuming to speak how someone will or will not be judged by "our Lord and Savior" is the cardinal sin of pride btw.
Much like your boy 45-47 has the express lane to Hell, Jimboy
Gives new meaning to having an "entitled jerk" on the plane!
Sitting on a "throne" gives you more entitlement.
Free WiFi and Youporn are a bad idea.
Not that I fully condone it, but as a young adult I've found myself having to relieve myself on red eye flights...in the lavatory thank you very much.
If you're trying to brag then nothing there is to brag.
As a young adult on red eye. One should have relieve oneself with a partner in the lavatory.
You can only top this with a mile high threesome.
I guess it's easier on those DC-10 lavs back in the days than the 737MAX lavs of today.
That was I.
I thought I was being discreet.
…. and I was sure that it was Eskimo! …. :-)
@TravelinWilly
Username checks out.