Selma Blair arrested at JFK after allegedly assaulting flight attendants

The severity of the mid-air disturbance aboard Delta Air Lines Flight 938 on Sunday night is underscored by the physical toll on the flight crew, with dispatch audio revealing injuries that included a bloody nose as well as some bite marks among the staff. Actress Selma Blair, known for her roles in Legally Blonde, Cruel Intentions, and Hellboy, was taken into custody by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey when the aircraft arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The 54-year-old actress allegedly sprinted toward an emergency exit and attempted to force the heavy pressurized cabin door open mid-flight, prompting crew members to restrain her. According to reports from TMZ and other outlets, Blair allegedly punched one flight attendant, bit another, and bashed her head on the bulkhead during the chaotic episode. The flight, traveling from Los Angeles, was parked at the gate when officers boarded.

Medical Emergency Cited by Representation

Following the plane's arrival, a representative for Blair addressed the incident by pointing to health complications. Selma experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct. Upon landing, she received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition, her publicist said in a statement issued to media outlets including The Hollywood Reporter.

Neither Blair’s publicist nor responding authorities have disclosed the specific cause or nature of the medical emergency. In 2018, Blair publicly disclosed her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, a neurological condition that significantly affected her acting career before she announced in 2021 that the disease was in remission. However, no connection between her medical history and the October 11 incident has been established. The actress was previously scheduled to attend 90s Con in Connecticut later in the week.

Hospitalization and Subsequent Charges

After being removed from the aircraft, Blair was transported to a hospital for evaluation. According to law enforcement reports cited by TMZ and HELLO!, the situation escalated further during transit and upon arrival at the medical facility. Authorities claim that Blair repeatedly kicked a Port Authority police officer in the head while in the ambulance, and subsequently assaulted a nurse at the hospital.

The State has since charged Selma with two counts of assault, one on a police officer and another on a nurse. Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has stepped in to examine the mid-air cabin disruption and the attempt to open the aircraft door. Sydney Kleinmann, a spokesperson for the FBI NY, stated, Yesterday, we were informed by our partners at Port Authority Police Department of a potential assault aboard a flight that arrived into JFK. As per long-standing DOJ policy, we do not comment on ongoing investigations.

Airline and Historical Precedents

Delta Air Lines confirmed that law enforcement officers met Flight 938 upon arrival, emphasizing that the incident caused no operational disruption to the journey. Delta has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first, a spokesperson for the airline told the media, noting that the flight landed ahead of schedule.

The incident marks the second time Blair has been involved in a high-profile in-flight disturbance. In 2016, she was removed from a Delta flight returning from Cancún, Mexico, to Los Angeles on a stretcher after screaming uncontrollably. She later apologized for that episode, explaining to Vanity Fair that she had mixed alcohol with medication, which caused her to black out and behave in a manner she deeply regretted. CBC noted that messages seeking comment from state and federal prosecutors' offices in New York regarding the current investigation were not immediately returned.