Actor Selma Blair, 54, was taken into custody at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sunday night after an alleged altercation aboard a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles, authorities said. The Cruel Intentions and Legally Blonde star was later charged with two counts of second-degree assault and released on $20,000 bail.
The incident unfolded on Delta flight 938, which landed at JFK shortly before 11 p.m. on October 11. Port Authority police officers were waiting at the gate after flight attendants reported a “physically abusive passenger,” according to a statement from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
What Happened on Delta Flight 938
“On Sunday, October 11, at approximately 11 p.m. at JFK Airport, PAPD responded to a call about a physically abusive passenger aboard Delta Airlines flight 938, which was parked at the gate after arrival from LAX,” the Port Authority said in a statement reported by multiple outlets (CNN).
Two flight attendants reported injuries in connection with the incident, and one of them was taken to a hospital for further evaluation. Blair herself was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for evaluation, authorities said.
Dispatch audio obtained by TMZ, reported by Page Six, suggests the scene was alarming for the crew. In the audio, the pilot reported one person with a bloody nose and another with bite marks, and said the disruptive passenger had “bashed her head on the bulkhead.” Law enforcement sources told TMZ she allegedly tried to open an aircraft door mid-flight, and the FBI is investigating the in-flight incident.
Assault Charges Filed in Queens Criminal Court
According to a criminal complaint filed in Queens Criminal Court, Blair now faces two counts of second-degree assault — one for allegedly kicking a Port Authority police officer and another for allegedly kicking a nurse.
Prosecutors said the first alleged assault happened while Blair was being strapped into a stretcher before being loaded into an ambulance. She freed her leg from the stretcher straps and kicked the officer in the head and chest, according to the complaint, as reported by CNN. Hours later, at the hospital, Blair allegedly kicked a nurse who was taking her for additional treatment, the complaint said.
Court records cited by outlets place both alleged assaults under the section of New York law covering attacks on police officers, nurses, and other workers performing their duties.
Court Appearance: No Plea Entered, $20,000 Bail
Blair appeared in court Monday evening, where she did not enter a plea. She appeared in blue jeans and a light grey hoodie layered over sweatshirts, according to CNN.
Judge Indira Khan set bail at $20,000 and issued an order of protection for the nurse. Blair is due back in court on January 19.
Blair’s attorney, Shawn Barnes, told the court she had boarded the flight after extensive hours on set, fell and hit her head on the plane, and missed her medication. He added that she had spent seven to eight hours at the hospital before being placed in police custody, and then had to return to the hospital.
Blair’s Team Says She Had a Medical Emergency
Her representatives attributed the alleged conduct to a health crisis. In a statement, her rep Jill Fritzo said: “Selma experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct. Upon landing, she received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition.”
The statement did not specify the nature of the medical emergency. Blair publicly revealed a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2018 and has since become a prominent disability-rights advocate, using a cane and a service dog for mobility and balance. ABC News reported that sources familiar with the matter said Blair was treated at Jamaica Hospital in Queens.
Her attorney said she boarded her flight after extensive hours on set, fell and hit her head on the plane, and missed her medication, and that she spent seven to eight hours at the hospital before she was in police custody.
Delta Says It Has Zero Tolerance for Unruly Behavior
Delta told ABC News the flight landed ahead of schedule and there was no operational impact. The airline said law enforcement met the flight when it arrived.
“Delta has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first,” the airline said in a statement to ABC News.
The FBI is investigating the incident aboard the aircraft, the Port Authority said, and the FAA is also looking into it. The Port Authority directed further questions about the federal investigation to the airline and the FBI.
Who Is Selma Blair? MS Advocacy and Acting Career
Blair, 54, is best known for her roles in Cruel Intentions (1999), Legally Blonde (2001), and the Hellboy films. After revealing her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2018, she became one of Hollywood’s most visible disability-rights advocates, joining then-President Joe Biden at the White House for the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 2023.
Related: The Social Reckoning: Aaron Sorkin’s Movie About Trump and the Future of Political Cinema
Photo credits: Selma Blair at the Fashion Trust U.S. Awards 2026 in Los Angeles (Photo: CelebMafia); JFK Airport Terminal 4 exterior (Photo: Simple Flying).
FAQ
Why was Selma Blair arrested?
She was taken into custody at JFK on October 11, 2026, after flight attendants reported a “physically abusive passenger” on Delta flight 938 from Los Angeles. She was later charged with two counts of second-degree assault — one for allegedly kicking a Port Authority officer and one for allegedly kicking a nurse.
What did prosecutors say happened?
According to the criminal complaint reported by CNN, Blair allegedly kicked a Port Authority officer in the head and chest while being strapped into a stretcher at the airport, and hours later allegedly kicked a nurse at the hospital.
What is Selma Blair’s explanation?
The statement did not specify the nature of the medical emergency. No further details about her condition have been released.
What happens next?
Blair appeared in court Monday evening, did not enter a plea, and was released on $20,000 bail. She is due back in court on January 19. The FBI is investigating the in-flight incident.
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