Actress Selma Blair was arrested late Sunday after a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. Blair is facing possible charges following allegations that she tried to open an airplane door and assaulted two flight attendants during the cross-country trip.
According to media reports, Port Authority police took Blair into custody shortly after 11 p.m. in response to a report of a physically abusive passenger. Two flight attendants reportedly sustained injuries, with one being transported to a hospital for evaluation. Blair was also reportedly taken to a hospital for evaluation after the incident.
Specifically, TMZ reported that Blair allegedly attempted to open an airplane door, punched one flight attendant, and bit another. The FBI has since issued Blair a summons, accusing her of assaults aboard the plane, according to The Associated Press, which cited a federal law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity. The alleged offenses are listed on a violation notice involving assaults within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.
This matter is set to be handled in federal petty violations court in Brooklyn, though a date for Blair’s appearance has not yet been established. A representative for Blair, in a statement to TMZ, indicated that "Selma experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct. Upon landing, she received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition."
Delta Air Lines addressed the situation in a statement to The New York Times, asserting that the airline "has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first."
This is not the first time Blair, known for her roles in films such as “Cruel Intentions,” “Legally Blonde,” and “Hellboy,” has encountered issues on a flight. In 2016, she was removed from a flight from Cancun to Los Angeles after a disruptive outburst. At that time, Blair stated to Vanity Fair that a combination of alcohol and medication had caused her to "black out" and "say and do things that I deeply regret."