Actress Selma Blair was arrested Sunday night, October 11, following an alleged midair disturbance aboard a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to New York. The 54-year-old was taken into custody by Port Authority police after Delta Flight 938 landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. The incident, which unfolded while the aircraft was still in the air, reportedly involved Blair allegedly attacking two flight attendants and attempting to open an emergency door.
"Delta has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first." Delta Air Lines Spokesperson
According to Port Authority officials, police responded to a call about a "physically abusive passenger" aboard the flight at approximately 11 p.m. upon its arrival at JFK from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Police identified the passenger as Blair. Following her apprehension, she was transported to a hospital for evaluation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has since become involved and is investigating the incident, indicating the potential for federal charges given the nature of the alleged actions aboard a commercial aircraft.
The allegations detail a serious confrontation. Blair is accused of punching one flight attendant and biting another as crew members attempted to control the situation. Two flight attendants reported injuries, with one requiring transportation to a hospital for further evaluation. Delta Air Lines issued a statement affirming its strict policy against disruptive behavior. "Delta has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first," the airline stated.
A representative for Selma Blair later attributed the alleged behavior to a medical emergency, according to reports. "Selma experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct," the representative stated. "Upon landing, she received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition." However, no further information was provided regarding the specific nature of the medical emergency. There has also been no confirmation linking Blair’s previously disclosed health conditions to the events aboard the flight.
Blair, known for her roles in films such as “Legally Blonde,” “Cruel Intentions,” and “Hellboy,” publicly disclosed her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2018. MS is a neurological disease that can impact movement, vision, memory, and other bodily functions. She has often spoken about living with the condition and, more recently, had indicated she was not experiencing MS relapses and was feeling well.
This is not the first time Blair has faced issues on a commercial flight. In 2016, she was removed from a Delta flight returning from Cancun after reportedly combining alcohol with prescription medication, leading to disruptive behavior. Blair publicly apologized for that incident, explaining that the combination caused her to black out and act in a manner she regretted. The current allegations are considered more severe due to the reported physical injuries to flight crew members and the alleged attempt to interfere with an aircraft door, actions that carry significant legal penalties under federal aviation laws.
As of the latest reports, authorities had not publicly detailed formal criminal charges against Blair. The ongoing FBI investigation will seek to determine the precise sequence of events aboard Flight 938 and ascertain whether federal charges are warranted. Blair remains in stable condition following her hospital evaluation, while the circumstances surrounding the midair confrontation continue to be examined by federal investigators. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges airlines face in maintaining passenger safety and managing disruptive behavior, especially when potential medical emergencies are involved.
