Milan, Italy – A Russian woman with a history of sneaking onto flights was apprehended Wednesday after allegedly stowing away on a United Airlines flight from Newark Liberty International Airport to Milan, Italy. Svetlana Dali, 41, was taken into custody by Italian authorities after the flight, UAL19, landed, according to sources familiar with the matter. This incident marks at least the fourth time Dali has attempted to bypass airport security and board a commercial flight without a valid ticket.
The latest incident unfolded as United Flight 19, a Boeing 777-200, was already over the Atlantic Ocean before the crew realized Dali was onboard without proper documentation. Authorities were alerted, and Dali was detained upon arrival in Milan. The circumstances of how Dali managed to evade security at Newark remain under investigation. The incident raises renewed questions about airport security protocols and the challenges of preventing determined individuals from breaching them.
Dali’s pattern of unauthorized travel first came to light in November 2024, when she successfully boarded a Delta Air Lines flight from New York to Paris. She was later convicted in federal court in Brooklyn in May 2025 on a stowaway charge related to that journey and sentenced to time served. Prior to the Paris flight, she was caught attempting to sneak onto a plane at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut, and earlier in 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents discovered her hiding in a secured bathroom at Miami International Airport.
A History of Breaching Security
The case of Svetlana Dali highlights a persistent vulnerability in airline security. Her ability to repeatedly bypass security measures, despite being identified as a risk, has prompted scrutiny of screening procedures at multiple airports. The details of how she managed to board United Flight 19 are currently being examined by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and United Airlines.
Previous Incidents and Legal Proceedings
Dali, a Russian citizen with U.S. Residency, has demonstrated a pattern of increasingly bold attempts to travel without authorization. In December 2024, she was arrested again after cutting off an ankle monitor and attempting to cross into Canada, just days after her initial arrest for the Paris flight. At that time, she reportedly did not have a passport when questioned by law enforcement. She chose to represent herself in court and made claims of being sex trafficked and poisoned, according to reports.
The repeated nature of these incidents raises questions about the effectiveness of current penalties for stowing away on flights. While Dali received time served for the Paris incident, the latest arrest could lead to more significant consequences, particularly given her history. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has not yet announced what charges, if any, will be filed in connection with the Newark-to-Milan flight.
The Newark Incident: Timeline and Details
United Flight 19 departed from Newark Liberty International Airport at approximately 5:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, bound for Milan, Italy. It was during the flight, after the Boeing 777-200 had crossed the Atlantic Ocean, that the crew discovered Dali was onboard without a valid ticket. Authorities were immediately notified, and arrangements were made for her detention upon landing in Milan. The exact method Dali used to bypass security at Newark remains unclear.
Representatives for the FBI, TSA, and United Airlines have not yet issued statements regarding the incident. Attempts to reach Dali’s previous legal counsel were unsuccessful as of Thursday morning. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as authorities gather information.
This latest incident involving Svetlana Dali underscores the ongoing challenges faced by aviation security officials in preventing unauthorized access to commercial flights. The focus now shifts to understanding how she was able to breach security at Newark and what measures can be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. Italian authorities will likely determine Dali’s immediate fate, while U.S. Authorities prepare for potential further legal action.
The next step in this case will likely be Dali’s appearance before Italian authorities to determine her legal status and potential extradition back to the United States. We will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they become available.
Have thoughts on this developing story? Share your comments below, and please share this article with others who may be interested.
