American actress Selma Blair faces two counts of second-degree assault following alleged incidents involving a Port Authority police officer and a hospital nurse on a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to New York. She was taken into custody after the plane landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sunday, 11 October 2026 while her representative said she had experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct.
Blair was also accused of assaulting two flight attendants during the flight. Reports cited dispatch audio referring to bite marks and a bloody nose, although the precise sequence of the alleged attacks should be distinguished from the injuries reported. Two flight attendants reportedly sustained injuries, and one was taken to hospital for evaluation.
According to a criminal complaint, Blair allegedly kicked a Port Authority police officer repeatedly while being restrained on a stretcher, causing swelling and substantial pain. A nurse treating Blair at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center also alleged that the actress kicked her in the chest.
Selma Blair walks out of court after pleading not guilty to two counts of second-degree assault https://t.co/dSnw9qwkkJ pic.twitter.com/sZVGClvdte
— New York Post (@nypost) October 13, 2026
Representative Cites Medical Emergency
Following the incident, Blair's representative issued a statement addressing her condition and the alleged behaviour. The representative 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.'
Blair's attorney reportedly said she had missed several doses of medication and hit her head during the flight, leaving her confused and disorientated. These claims form part of the defence's account and have not been independently established in the reporting reviewed.
Blair was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018 and has spoken publicly about living with the neurological condition. However, her diagnosis alone does not establish what caused the alleged behaviour during the flight.
Blair was arraigned at the Queens Criminal Court on two counts of second-degree assault relating to the alleged incidents involving the police officer and nurse. Her bail was set at $20,000 cash or a $60,000 bond, with her next state court appearance reportedly scheduled for 19 January 2027.
Separately, the FBI reportedly issued Blair a summons over the alleged onboard incident. The federal matter is expected to be handled in Brooklyn, and no appearance date had been reported. The federal proceedings remain separate from the state charges.
Blair's 2016 Flight Incident
The latest incident has drawn comparisons with a separate episode involving Blair in June 2016, when she experienced a public outburst aboard a flight from Cancún, Mexico, to Los Angeles. Contemporary reports said she was removed from the aircraft on a stretcher after it landed.
Blair later apologised for her behaviour, saying she had inadvertently mixed alcohol with medication and blacked out. She described the experience as a serious mistake and acknowledged that her actions had caused concern.
Legal Proceedings Continue
Blair's state case concerns the alleged assaults involving the police officer and nurse, while the separate federal matter relates to her alleged conduct aboard the aircraft. The allegations have not been established as findings of guilt.
Her next reported state court appearance is scheduled for 19 January 2027, while the date of any federal appearance had not been announced in the latest reporting. The proceedings will determine how the allegations are addressed, while the medical explanation offered by her representatives remains part of the defence's account.
