Actress Selma Blair was taken into custody Sunday night following an alleged physical disturbance aboard a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to New York, according to Port Authority officials.
Officers with the Port Authority Police Department met Delta Flight 938 at the gate after the aircraft touched down at John F. Kennedy International Airport at approximately 11 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11. Authorities said officers responded to an emergency call concerning a physically abusive passenger aboard the plane, later identifying the individual as the 54-year-old actress.
According to police accounts cited by Variety and the New York Post, Blair allegedly punched one flight attendant, bit another and made an attempt to open the cabin door while the flight was airborne. After officers boarded the plane at the gate, Blair was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
Injuries and Airline Statement
The Port Authority confirmed that two crew members reported sustaining injuries during the encounter in the cabin. One of the flight attendants was transported to an area medical facility for further treatment and evaluation, according to police reports.
Delta Air Lines addressed the disturbance in a statement, emphasizing customer and crew protection. “Delta has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first,” an airline spokesperson stated.
The carrier also stated that the confrontation did not disrupt the flight’s schedule. The aircraft arrived from Los Angeles ahead of its planned landing time at JFK.
A representative for Blair told TMZ that an unexpected health crisis provoked the episode. “Selma experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct,” the representative said, noting that Blair received medical attention immediately after the flight touched down and was listed in stable condition.
Federal Inquiry Underway
Law enforcement officials indicated that no criminal charges had been filed as of Monday afternoon, but police confirmed that the FBI is actively reviewing the in-flight confrontation. Federal authorities routinely investigate alleged assaults and safety breaches occurring aboard commercial flights within U.S. airspace.
Blair, known for her roles in films such as “Cruel Intentions,” “Legally Blonde” and “Hellboy,” previously faced an in-flight incident a decade ago. In 2016, she was removed from a flight on a stretcher following a mid-air episode while traveling with her then-4-year-old son and former partner Jason Bleick. Blair later apologized publicly for that occurrence, explaining that she had suffered a temporary blackout after combining prescription medication with a glass of wine.
The actress also recounted instances of biting several acquaintances in her 2022 memoir, “Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Up.” Additionally, her career experienced repercussions in 2024 following an anti-Islamic social media remark that drew industry backlash.
Federal investigators have not specified when their review of Sunday’s incident will conclude or whether prosecutors will pursue formal charges against Blair.
