Selma Blair charged with assault after alleged midair Delta flight attack

Actress Selma Blair is facing both federal and state charges after a chaotic confrontation aboard a cross-country flight on Sunday that culminated in her arrest, hospitalisation, and court appearance. The 54-year-old star of Cruel Intentions and Hellboy allegedly punched one flight attendant, bit another, and attempted to open the cabin door while on Delta Air Lines Flight 938 from Los Angeles to New York. The incident, which triggered a law enforcement response upon landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport at about 11pm, has left authorities grappling with federal jurisdiction violations and state-level charges.

While the airline confirmed that law enforcement met the aircraft at the gate, her publicist offered an immediate explanation for the midair rampage. Selma experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct, her publicist told the Hollywood Reporter and the BBC, adding that upon landing, she received immediate medical attention and is [now] in stable condition. Despite the mounting legal fallout, organizers of 90s Con announced that Blair still plans to attend the nostalgia fan convention at the Connecticut Convention Center this weekend, where tickets for autographs and selfies range from $60 to $100.

Federal Summons And State Assault Charges

The legal reckoning spans two distinct jurisdictions. The FBI, which handles crimes committed aboard commercial aircraft, issued Blair a notice charging her with assault related to her actions inside the cabin, according to a federal law enforcement official who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Those federal allegations will be handled through the petty violations court in federal court in Brooklyn, though no appearance date has been set.

Simultaneously, prosecutors brought separate state charges against the actress after she was removed from the plane. According to charging documents cited by The Guardian, an officer escorting Blair to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center alleged that the actress pulled a leg from the stretcher's straps and kicked her repeatedly around the face, neck, and chest, causing substantial swelling and serious pain. A nurse moving Blair inside the hospital reported being kicked in the chest as well. Blair pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree assault on Monday night. A judge set her bail at $20,000 cash or $60,000 bond, and scheduled her next hearing for January 19.

Flight Crew Restrained Passenger Amid Injuries

Air traffic control audio recordings published by NBC Los Angeles and CBS News paint a picture of the situation. The pilot of Flight 938 contacted ground control as the plane pulled up to the gate, reporting that one flight attendant and one passenger … sustained some minor injuries – a bloody nose as well as some bite marks. The pilot requested medical personnel at the gate.

According to CBS News, the flight crew was forced to physically restrain Blair on board to stop the rampage before the aircraft parked. The New York Port Authority stated that two flight attendants reported injuries, with one transported to a hospital for further evaluation. A Delta spokesperson issued a statement noting that the airline has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first. Airport officials confirmed there was no operational impact to the flight schedule.

Past Incidents And Personal Revelations

Sunday’s arrest marks the second time Blair has been involved in a high-profile airline disturbance. In 2016, she was removed on a stretcher from a Los Angeles-bound flight from Cancún, Mexico, after screaming uncontrollably. She later attributed that episode to mixing alcohol with medication, which caused her to black out. In her 2022 memoir Mean Baby, Blair also wrote about biting celebrities Sienna Miller, Seth MacFarlane, and Kate Moss.

In recent years, the actress has largely retreated from film work following her 2018 multiple sclerosis diagnosis, telling the BBC that the condition took her career down because she had to stop working. Prior to the flight, she had posted on Instagram about her extensive travels with her service dog Scout, an English Red Fox Labrador acquired in 2021 to help navigate her neurological condition.