Actress Selma Blair was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sunday, October 11, 2026, after authorities say she assaulted two flight attendants and attempted to open a cabin door on a Delta Air Lines flight arriving from Los Angeles.
Arrest at John F. Kennedy International Airport After Delta Flight 938 Arrives from Los Angeles
The New York Port Authority Police Department responded to a call regarding a physically abusive passenger around 11 p.m. on Sunday, October 11, 2026. The aircraft, operating as Delta Air Lines flight 938, was parked at the gate after completing its transcontinental journey from Los Angeles International Airport when law enforcement met the plane upon its arrival.
Authorities identified the individual in custody as 54-year-old actress Selma Blair. According to law enforcement sources, the actress tried to open the aircraft door while the plane remained in the air, triggering a confrontation with the cabin crew.
The actress is widely recognized for her breakout role in the 1999 film Cruel Intentions, alongside a major role in the 2001 feature Legally Blonde. Her extensive filmography also features credits in the Hellboy franchise and the romantic comedy The Sweetest Thing. Earlier in her public schedule, she made an appearance on October 1 at an event titled State of the Arts: An Evening at The Jewish Museum, and she shared highlights from her travels on social media earlier that same Sunday.
Dispatch audio obtained by media outlets detailed the extent of the mid-air struggle. A pilot called for medical assistance and law enforcement to be stationed at the gate to address injuries sustained by crew members.
Two flight attendants reported injuries from the altercation. One crew member suffered a bloody nose and bite marks, while another sustained a laceration. One of the injured flight attendants required transport to a local hospital for further evaluation.
Following her removal from the aircraft, Blair was taken into custody and transported to the hospital for evaluation. Law enforcement sources stated that during her transit to the hospital in an ambulance, Blair repeatedly kicked a Port Authority police officer in the head, and later assaulted a nurse upon reaching the medical facility. The state has formally charged Blair with two counts of assault, covering the attacks on the police officer and the nurse.
This incident follows an earlier aviation episode from June 2016, when Blair was removed from a Delta flight on a stretcher at Los Angeles International Airport following a series of in-air outbursts. She later issued a public apology in Vanity Fair, explaining that she had mixed alcohol with medication, which caused her to black out and say things she deeply regretted.
Statement from Blair’s Publicist Citing a Medical Emergency
A representative for the actress released a statement addressing the inflight events, pointing to an underlying health crisis as the catalyst for the behavior.
“Selma experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct. Upon landing, she received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition.”
USA TODAY
While the representative did not specify the exact nature of the medical emergency, public records note that Blair has been open about her diagnosis with multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system, which she revealed publicly in 2018. In 2021, she was the focus of a documentary detailing her treatment and daily life living with the condition, and she noted in 2025 that she was in remission.
Federal Investigation by the FBI and Airline Safety Stance
Federal law enforcement has stepped in to examine the episode. The FBI is currently investigating the incident, as the agency holds jurisdiction over all assaults occurring aboard commercial aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration also stated that it would look into the passenger disturbance.
Delta Air Lines confirmed that law enforcement met the flight upon landing, noting that the incident caused no operational impact to the schedule because the plane arrived ahead of schedule. The airline reiterated its operational policy regarding onboard conduct in an official statement.
“Delta has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first.”
State authorities have brought charges against Blair for the subsequent assaults on law enforcement and medical staff, while federal prosecutors weigh charges related to the mid-air disturbance on the aircraft.
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