NEW YORK, United States — American actress Selma Blair was arrested at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport after allegedly assaulting two flight attendants aboard a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles, authorities said.
The 54-year-old actress, known for her roles in Cruel Intentions, Legally Blonde, and Hellboy, was taken into custody after Flight 938 arrived in New York on Sunday night, October 11, 2026.
Two flight attendants reported injuries, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said one was taken to hospital for further examination.
Blair was also transported to hospital for medical evaluation.
Her representative said she had experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged incident.
“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 representative said in a statement to the press.
Flight Attendants Injured During Incident
Port Authority police said officers responded at approximately 11 p.m. to reports of a passenger behaving violently aboard the aircraft, which had landed and was parked at a gate.
Blair was identified as the passenger involved and taken into custody.
According to TMZ, Blair allegedly attempted to open an aircraft door during the flight, prompting crew members to intervene.
The entertainment publication reported that she punched one flight attendant and bit another during the confrontation.
A law enforcement source subsequently told CBS News that one crew member sustained a laceration while another suffered a bite injury.
The flight crew reportedly restrained Blair before the aircraft landed.
Recordings of communications between the pilots and air traffic control indicated that the crew requested medical assistance because of injuries sustained during the disturbance.
The pilot reported that a person had suffered a bloody nose and another had bite marks.
He also said Blair appeared to have struck her head against part of the aircraft’s interior.
Authorities have not independently confirmed the reports that Blair attempted to open an aircraft door.
Despite the disturbance, Delta said the flight reached New York ahead of schedule and that its operations were not disrupted.
Actress Also Accused of Assaulting Officer and Nurse
The allegations did not end when Blair left the aircraft.
According to law enforcement sources cited by CBS News and TMZ, Blair allegedly kicked a Port Authority police officer while being transported by ambulance to hospital.
She was also accused of assaulting a nurse after arriving at Jamaica Hospital in Queens.
CBS News reported that Blair was subsequently transferred to Queens Central Booking for arraignment on two state assault charges arising from the alleged incidents involving the officer and nurse.
The FBI, which investigates suspected crimes committed aboard aircraft, also issued a federal summons in connection with the alleged assaults during the flight, according to law enforcement sources.
The agency confirmed that it was investigating a possible assault aboard the Delta aircraft.
The allegations have not been determined by a court.
Blair’s Representative Cites Medical Emergency
Blair’s representative attributed the reported behaviour to an unspecified medical emergency.
The statement did not disclose the nature of the emergency or explain what medical treatment she received.
Blair publicly revealed in 2018 that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a condition affecting the central nervous system.
She later disclosed that the disease was in remission following treatment.
There is no confirmed evidence linking her multiple sclerosis diagnosis to Sunday’s incident.
The actress was previously involved in an incident aboard a flight from Cancún, Mexico, to Los Angeles in 2016.
She was removed from that aircraft after reportedly becoming distressed and behaving erratically.
Blair subsequently apologised, explaining that she had consumed alcohol while taking medication.
No evidence has been presented establishing a similar cause for the latest incident.
Delta Condemns Unruly Behaviour
Delta Air Lines said it would not tolerate conduct that endangered passengers or employees.
“Delta has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behaviour, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first,” the airline said in a statement.
The airline did not provide a detailed account of the confrontation.
Blair, whose film career spans more than two decades, has also appeared in television productions and competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2022.
She has spoken publicly about living with multiple sclerosis and the treatment she has received.
The FBI’s investigation remains ongoing, while the separate assault allegations involving the police officer and hospital employee are being handled by New York authorities.
