Selma Blair is facing assault charges following an incident aboard a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to New York. The actress pleaded not guilty in a Queens court on October 12, 2026, after prosecutors accused her of assaulting a police officer and a nurse following the flight. She was released on bail as authorities continued investigating the case.
The incident occurred on October 11, when Delta Flight 938 arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. According to the Port Authority Police Department, two flight attendants reported injuries, and one required hospital evaluation.
Blair, 54, was taken into custody and transported to a hospital after the aircraft landed. Her representative later said she had experienced a medical emergency and was receiving appropriate care. Source: Reuters.
Selma Blair Pleads Not Guilty to Assault Charges
During her court appearance in Queens on October 12, prosecutors brought two counts of second-degree assault against Blair. The charges relate to alleged incidents involving a Port Authority police officer and a nurse after the flight landed.
According to court documents reported by CBS News, the officer alleged that Blair kicked her while she was being transported in an ambulance. Prosecutors also accused the actress of kicking a nurse at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center later that night.
Blair entered a not-guilty plea. The allegations have not been established as proven criminal conduct, and the case remains subject to the legal process.
What Happened to the Police Officer and Nurse?
The criminal complaint describes two separate alleged assaults following Blair’s arrest.
The police officer reportedly suffered swelling and pain after the alleged incident during the ambulance transfer. At the hospital, a nurse separately accused Blair of kicking her in the chest.
These allegations formed the basis of the two state assault charges filed in Queens. They are distinct from the reported conduct aboard the aircraft, which is also under investigation.
Judge Sets Bail for Selma Blair at $20,000 Cash
A judge set Blair’s bail at $20,000 in cash or a $60,000 bond. A $60,000 partially secured bond was also listed as an option in reporting on the court proceedings.
Blair was subsequently released on bail. Her release does not mean the charges have been dismissed; the criminal case will continue through the court system.
According to CBS News, her next court hearing was scheduled for January 19, 2027. The alleged incident aboard the aircraft has also prompted federal scrutiny, with reports indicating that Blair received a federal summons connected to the in-flight allegations.
Authorities Investigate the Delta Air Lines Incident
The initial incident took place aboard Delta Flight 938, which traveled from Los Angeles International Airport to John F. Kennedy International Airport.
The Port Authority Police Department confirmed that officers responded after receiving a report of a physically abusive passenger. Two flight attendants reported injuries, and one was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
Delta Air Lines also addressed the incident. The company said it does not tolerate unruly or unlawful passenger behavior and places the safety of its customers and crew first.
Meanwhile, the FBI is investigating the allegations involving the flight. Federal authorities handle potential criminal offenses that occur aboard aircraft, while the two second-degree assault charges discussed in Queens court concern the alleged incidents involving the officer and nurse after landing.
The investigation will help determine how the events unfolded and what further legal action may follow.
Selma Blair’s Representative Says She Experienced a Medical Emergency
Following the incident, Blair’s representative said the actress experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged behavior.
The representative also confirmed that Blair received medical attention after landing and was in stable condition.
The statement offers Blair’s side of the circumstances surrounding the incident. However, publicly available reports have not established a definitive medical explanation for what happened aboard the plane or afterward.
Blair has previously spoken about living with multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. She disclosed her diagnosis in 2018 and has since discussed her experiences with the condition publicly.
Her medical history is relevant background, but it does not independently establish the cause of the alleged conduct in this case.
Selma Blair’s Previous In-Flight Incident in 2016
The latest incident has drawn attention to a separate episode involving Blair on a Delta flight in 2016.
At that time, the actress was removed from an aircraft and received medical attention following an episode she later attributed to a reaction involving alcohol and medication.
Blair subsequently apologized publicly for her behavior during that earlier incident and expressed regret over the disruption caused to passengers and crew members.
The 2016 episode is separate from the current criminal proceedings. The allegations from October 2026 must be evaluated on their own facts and evidence.
What Happens Next in Selma Blair’s Case?
The immediate legal focus is on the two second-degree assault charges filed in Queens. Blair has pleaded not guilty, and the allegations have yet to be resolved in court.
Federal authorities are also examining the reported incident aboard the Delta flight. The state charges and the federal investigation concern different aspects of the events, so their legal outcomes may develop separately.
For now, Blair remains out on bail while the case moves forward. Further court proceedings and official updates may provide additional information about the allegations, the investigation, and any subsequent legal decisions.