Actress Selma Blair was arrested and charged with second-degree assault after allegedly injuring two flight attendants on a Delta flight from Los Angeles to New York.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Selma Blair, 54, was arrested and charged with second-degree assault following an incident on a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to New York. The actress was detained by police at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sunday night after allegedly injuring two flight attendants. She was arraigned on Monday in Queens Criminal Court, where a judge set bail at $20,000 cash or $60,000 bond.
According to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, police were called around 11 p.m. Sunday to respond to a "physically abusive passenger" on the arriving Delta flight. Blair allegedly punched one flight attendant and bit another while the plane was in the air. She also reportedly attempted to open the plane door during the flight.
Two flight attendants reported injuries, with one being transported to a hospital for evaluation. Air traffic control audio, obtained by CNN and reported by the Associated Press, captured the Delta pilot requesting medical personnel for "bite marks and a bloody nose." The pilot also noted that the "disruptive passenger also bashed her head on the bulkhead or something like that."
Blair was arraigned on two counts of second-degree assault late Monday. In addition to the flight-related charges, she faces allegations of assaulting a police officer and a nurse after landing. According to charging documents cited by the Associated Press, a police officer stated that while securing Blair to a stretcher for transport to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Blair "pulled a leg from the straps and kicked her repeatedly around the face, neck and chest, causing serious pain and substantial swelling." A nurse later reported that Blair kicked her in the chest, causing substantial pain.
The FBI also issued Blair a notice charging her with assault related to her actions aboard the aircraft, according to a federal law enforcement official who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity. These federal charges will be handled through the petty violations court in federal court in Brooklyn. No date has been set for Blair’s appearance in federal court.
A representative for Blair stated that the actress experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct. "Selma experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct. Upon landing, she received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition," the representative said.
Delta Air Lines issued a statement emphasizing its policy on passenger behavior: "Delta has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first."
Blair, known for roles in films such as "Legally Blonde," "Cruel Intentions," and "Hellboy," was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018. This is not her first incident involving air travel; in 2016, she apologized for behavior on a flight from Cancun to Los Angeles, stating she had mixed alcohol with medication which caused her to black out.
The case highlights the legal consequences of unruly passenger behavior, which airlines and federal authorities treat with increasing severity. The involvement of both state and federal charges underscores the jurisdictional complexities when incidents occur on commercial aircraft. Blair’s history of public health disclosures and previous travel incidents adds context to the current allegations.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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