Woman Who Punched Southwest Airlines Flight Attendant Has Sentencing Delayed Because of DUI

The sentencing of the woman who punched a Southwest Airlines flight attendant in the face because she was asked to put on her seatbelt has been delayed because she was arrested for drunk driving.

The flight attendant had to have two of her teeth replaced after she was punched by Vyvianna M. Quinonez.

The flight attendant had to have stitches for a cut under her eye, as well as a bruise on her left eye and a bruise on her right forearm.

Quinonez was due to be sentenced later this month but was delayed because of her latest arrest.

Quinonez was pulled over by the California Highway Patrol in January and cited for driving under the influence, but she claims that her recent surgery caused her high blood alcohol reading.

According to her arrest report, she said she had several drinks after an argument with her boyfriend.

Quinonez admitted to pre-trial services that she had been warned by her doctor that her blood alcohol concentration could rise because of her small stomach.

A warrant for Quinonez's arrest was issued by the U.S. District Court after she broke the conditions of her pre-sentencing bond.

Quinonez was due to be sentenced on the assault charge on May 27 but was forced to delay it because she was contesting the drunk driving charge.

Quinonez could face up to 20 years in jail and a $250,000 fine for attacking the flight attendants, however, prosecutors agreed to seek just four months jail time and six months of home confinement.

As an international flight attendant, Maszczynski worked for the most prominent airline in the Middle East and has been flying for a well-known European airline during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Matt is an expert in passenger experience and human-centered stories. Constantly keeping an ear close to the ground, Matt's industry insights, analysis and news coverage is often relied upon by some of the biggest names in journalism.