The short version
- Selma Blair has been charged with federal assault for allegedly attacking flight attendants on a Delta Airlines plane and with two counts of second-degree assault for allegedly kicking a police officer and a nurse after landing.
- Her publicist stated the actress experienced a medical emergency that caused the alleged conduct, noting she is in stable condition after receiving immediate care upon arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
- A judge set bail at $20,000 cash or a $60,000 bond, with the next hearing scheduled for January, while the FBI handles the federal charges through petty violations court in Brooklyn.
Actress Selma Blair was arrested late Sunday at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York following an incident aboard a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles. Authorities responded to reports of a physically abusive passenger on Flight 938, which had just arrived at the gate. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed that Blair was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for evaluation. Two flight attendants reported injuries during the incident, with one requiring further medical assessment.
Federal investigators have issued Blair a summons charging her with assault within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. According to federal law enforcement officials, these charges stem from her actions while on board the aircraft. The case will be processed through the petty violations court in Brooklyn, though no specific date has been set for her initial appearance. The FBI typically handles criminal reports occurring on commercial flights within U.S. airspace.
Separate state charges were filed Monday night in Queens, where Blair faces two counts of second-degree assault. Charging documents allege that after landing, she kicked a police officer who was securing her to a stretcher for transport to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. The officer reported sustaining serious pain and substantial swelling to the face, neck, and chest. Additionally, a nurse at the hospital alleged that Blair kicked her in the chest, causing significant discomfort.
Details regarding the specific sequence of events on the plane remain limited, as neither the airline nor law enforcement has released a full account. However, air traffic control audio recordings obtained by media outlets capture the pilot requesting medical personnel at the gate. The pilot noted that one flight attendant and one passenger had sustained minor injuries, including a bloody nose and bite marks. Delta Air Lines stated it has zero tolerance for unlawful behavior and emphasized that crew safety is its top priority.
Blair’s representatives have offered a different explanation for the events, attributing the alleged aggression to a health crisis. Her publicist told reporters that the actress experienced a medical emergency which led to the conduct in question. Upon landing, she received immediate attention and was reported to be in stable condition. This statement aligns with previous disclosures about her health struggles, including a multiple sclerosis diagnosis announced in 2018.
The incident marks at least the second time Blair has been involved in a publicized disturbance on an airplane. In 2016, she was removed from a flight traveling from Cancun to Los Angeles after reportedly screaming uncontrollably and requiring restraint by medical staff. At that time, she issued an apology, stating she had mixed alcohol with medication, which caused her to black out and behave in ways she deeply regretted. She described herself as a flawed human being who makes mistakes.
Blair has been open about the impact of multiple sclerosis on her life and career, noting in past interviews that the disease forced her to stop working. In 2021, she announced she was in remission. Recently, she shared posts on social media detailing travels with her service dog, an English Red Fox Labrador acquired to help manage neurological symptoms. Her memoir, published in 2022, also discussed moments of losing control, including instances where she bit others when feeling overwhelmed.
A judge set bail at $20,000 in cash or a $60,000 bond during Monday night’s proceedings. Blair left the courthouse with her legal team after the hearing. The next scheduled court date is set for January. As investigations continue, authorities have not disclosed whether any other passengers were involved or injured beyond the crew members and medical personnel mentioned in the charging documents.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Selma Blair charged with assault of police officer and nurse after allegedly attacking flight attendants
- BBC News↗US actress Selma Blair accused of assault after incident with flight attendants
