Actress Selma Blair was arrested in New York following a flight from Los Angeles after an onboard medical emergency led to an alleged physical altercation with two Delta Air Lines flight attendants, federal officials reported.
Flight Incident and Federal Investigation Into Delta Air Lines Altercation
The incident unfolded aboard a Delta Air Lines flight traveling from Los Angeles to New York, according to judicial and media reports detailing the confrontation. Selma Blair, 54, allegedly struck and bit two flight crew members while airborne, prompting an emergency response upon arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport around 11 p.m. Law enforcement officials confirmed that one of the injured crew members required hospital evaluation following the disturbance.
Federal authorities stepped in as the investigation widened. A federal judicial source indicated that the FBI issued a citation requiring the actress to appear before a tribunal in Brooklyn on two counts of assault related to the onboard altercation. Alongside the federal inquiry, local reporting noted that the airline maintains strict operational parameters regarding in-flight disruptions, stating that the company applies a zero-tolerance policy toward disruptive or illegal behavior because the safety of customers and crew remains an absolute priority.
Hospital Transfer and Subsequent New York Court Arraignment
The confrontation extended beyond the aircraft cabin once the flight touched down. Police documents show that after being secured with plastic restraints and brought to an area hospital for medical evaluation, the actress allegedly kicked a female officer in the face, neck, and chest, and subsequently struck a nurse in the chest. Court records confirm she was arraigned on charges stemming from the ground-level altercations after appearing before a judge.
Selma Blair was arrested Sunday following an alleged violent incident aboard a Delta flight from Los Angeles to New York. Blair allegedly attempted to open the plane door mid-flight, punched one flight attendant and bit another. She was taken into custody after landing and… pic.twitter.com/9GurkDZKiy
Following her initial court appearance, the actress secured release after posting bond. The judge scheduled the next court date for January 19, 2027, while the hospital nurse obtained a protective stay-away order.
Medical Defense Statements and Prior Aviation Incidents
Representatives for the actress pointed to health complications as the primary catalyst for the disturbance. Her press representative released a formal statement addressing her medical status.
Selma suffered a medical emergency that caused her behavior,
her press representative told Madame Figaro.
Public records note that the actress suffers from multiple sclerosis, and that she has previously been featured in a Discovery+ documentary titled Introducing, Selma Blair. Additionally, late in the year, she announced plans to produce a new documentary focusing on the controversy surrounding comments she made in 2024.
The current legal proceedings recall a prior aviation incident from 2016, when she was removed from a flight on a stretcher following a medical crisis. In a subsequent interview, she attributed that episode to mixing alcohol and prescription drugs, explaining that the combination caused her to lose consciousness and led her to say and do things she deeply regrets. Her memoir, published in 2022, also recounted instances where she had bitten several celebrities, including Kate Moss, often in contexts involving alcohol consumption.