Selma Blair arrested at JFK after alleged assault on Delta flight

Port Authority police detained the 54‑year‑old actress after she allegedly punched, bit and tried to open the door of Delta flight 938 from LAX to JFK.

By Felo News Desk · Published Mon, 12 Oct 2026 21:54:23 GMT

Actress Selma Blair was arrested at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport Sunday night after officials said she assaulted Delta Air Lines flight attendants on flight 938 from Los Angeles.

What happened

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police responded to a call about a "physically abusive passenger" aboard Delta flight 938 at about 11 p.m. ET. The aircraft had landed at JFK after arriving from Los Angeles. According to the police, Blair, 54, punched one flight attendant, bit another and attempted to open the aircraft door during the flight. Two flight attendants reported injuries; one was taken to a hospital for further evaluation.

What the reports add

The Guardian reported that the FBI, which investigates crimes on aircraft, opened an investigation into the incident. The Independent added that 911 dispatch audio captured a pilot requesting medical personnel for the injured attendants and that Blair allegedly kicked a police officer and attacked a nurse after the plane landed. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the FBI’s involvement and noted that the Department of Justice policy limits comment. CBS News cited a law‑enforcement source saying the flight crew had to restrain Blair before she was taken to an ambulance.

What was said

A Delta spokesperson told The Guardian that the airline "has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first" and that the incident did not affect the flight’s arrival time. Blair’s representative, quoted by the Independent, said she experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct and that she is in stable condition.

How it came about

The incident follows heightened scrutiny of airline safety after recent disruptions to Middle‑East carriers, which Felo News covered in articles about Flydubai and Etihad flight cancellations earlier this month. While those events involved security threats, the Selma Blair case highlights how individual passenger behavior can also trigger law‑enforcement and federal investigations on U.S. aircraft.

Key facts

Selma Blair was arrested at JFK Airport after an alleged assault on Delta flight 938. (theguardian.com)
The incident occurred at about 11 p.m. ET on Sunday, after the flight arrived from Los Angeles. (hollywoodreporter.com)
Two flight attendants reported injuries; one was taken to a hospital. (cbsnews.com)
The FBI opened an investigation into the alleged assault. (theguardian.com)
Blair was transported to Jamaica Hospital for evaluation. (cbsnews.com)

Where accounts differ

Additional alleged actions by Blair: Blair also kicked a police officer and attacked a nurse. (independent.co.uk); No mention of kicking a police officer or attacking a nurse. (theguardian.com)