Actress Selma Blair was taken into custody and hospitalized following a disruptive incident aboard a Delta Air Lines flight traveling from Los Angeles International Airport to John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sunday, according to authorities.
Law enforcement officials say Blair, 54, attempted to open an aircraft door while the plane was in flight, then physically assaulted two flight attendants who intervened. TMZ first reported that she punched one crew member and bit another. Dispatch audio obtained by the outlet revealed that airline officials requested medical personnel to meet the aircraft at the gate to treat injuries including bite marks and a bloody nose.
The audio also indicated that an unruly passenger had bashed her head against a partition separating sections of the cabin. One flight attendant was transported to a hospital, the New York Port Authority confirmed to NewsNation.
Delta Air Lines issued a statement emphasizing its strict policies: “Delta has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first.”
Blair was detained and taken to a hospital for evaluation. The FBI is investigating the alleged in-flight incident, which falls under federal jurisdiction.
A representative for Blair told NewsNation that the actress “experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct. Upon landing, she received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition.”
Blair has been public about her diagnosis with multiple sclerosis, a central nervous system disease that can cause memory difficulties, mobility issues, mood changes, and vision impairment, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She revealed in 2021 that her MS was in remission. In an April 2026 update to TODAY, Blair said she was “feeling well” and had been relapse-free.
This is not the first time Blair has been involved in a midflight disturbance. In 2016, she was removed from a flight after what she described as “a total psychotic blackout” while traveling with her then-4-year-old son. She later attributed the episode to mixing alcohol with medication, calling it “a big mistake.”
The incident raises familiar questions about in-flight safety and the protocols airlines follow when passengers experience medical or psychological crises at 30,000 feet. Federal law prohibits interfering with flight crew members, and such cases can result in severe penalties. The FBI’s involvement underscores the seriousness of the allegations.
As the investigation continues, Blair remains in stable condition. No further details about her current status or potential charges have been released.
