US actress Selma Blair, 54, known for her work in Cruel Intentions, Legally Blonde, and Hellboy, was taken into custody after an alleged disturbance on board a flight from Los Angeles to New York.
The incident occurred on Sunday night, Oct. 11, aboard Delta flight 938 from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The flight landed ahead of schedule at 11:27 p.m. ET and was met by the New York Port Authority Police Department at the arrival gate after reports of a physically abusive passenger.
What happened aboard the Delta flight?
Air traffic communications from the flight reveal that the pilot asked for medical personnel to be waiting at the gate for “some minor injuries – a bloody nose as well as some bite marks.”
The New York Port Authority Police Department (PAPD), which oversees JFK airport, gave a statement to The Independent:
At approximately 11 p.m. at JFK Airport, PAPD responded to a call about a physically abusive passenger aboard Delta Airlines flight 938 which was parked at the gate after arrival from LAX.
Suspect was identified as Selma Blair, a 54 year-old woman. She was taken into custody and transported to the hospital for evaluation. Two flight attendants also reported injuries, and one was transported to the hospital for further evaluation.
Various outlets have reported that Blair is said to have bitten one flight attendant and punched another, as well as attempted to open a plane door. Blair is also alleged to have kicked an officer and a nurse after being removed from the plane and escorted to Jamaica Hospital in Queens. One of the flight attendants was also taken to hospital for treatment.
A spokesperson for Delta Air Lines said that there was no operational impact to the flight due to the incident. They gave a statement to the BBC, saying “Delta has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first.”
Blair is said to have been travelling with her service dog, Scout. Her publicist reported that “she received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition”.
Selma Blair appears in court following Delta incident
Blair appeared in Queens Court on the evening of Monday, Oct. 12, facing two counts of second-degree assault relating to the two alleged incidents after deboarding the plane.
Her defence lawyer, Shawn Barnes, entered a not guilty plea on her behalf. He told the court that Blair had missed multiple doses of medication for her multiple sclerosis, which, in combination with hitting her head, led to the incident.
Blair’s bail was set at $20,000 cash or $60,000 bond, and she was subsequently released.
The case has been adjourned to Jan. 19, 2027. No date has been set for the federal case against her regarding the incidents that took place onboard the plane; the FBI has issued Blair a summons and is investigating the case.
Blair’s previous in-flight incident
This is not the actress’s first reported incident on a plane.
In 2016, she was removed from a flight on a stretcher for a “drunken outburst” while travelling with her son and his father returning to LA from Mexico after father’s day. She publicly apologised, stating:
I take this very seriously, and I apologize to all of the passengers and crew that I disturbed and am thankful to all of the people who helped me in the aftermath.
I am a flawed human being who makes mistakes and am filled with shame over this incident. I am truly very sorry.
Blair was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2018, a degenerative autoimmune condition of the central nervous system. Her defence lawyers also stated she has also been diagnosed with parkinsonism, a clinical syndrome characterised by stiff and difficult movements and tremors.
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