Selma Blair faces federal and state assault charges after Delta flight incident

Key points

• Blair was arrested after allegedly biting one flight attendant and causing a laceration to another on Delta Flight 938.
• The pilot requested medical personnel at JFK, noting bite marks and a bloody nose among the crew injuries.
• Blair was transported to Jamaica Hospital for evaluation and later taken to Queens Central Booking for arraignment on two state assault counts.
• The FBI issued a federal summons for assault within special maritime and territorial jurisdiction.
• Blair’s attorney stated she experienced a medical emergency, noting she is in stable condition but did not specify the nature of the emergency.

Background

Blair, 54, has been open about her multiple sclerosis diagnosis, which she disclosed in 2018. In 2025, she discussed travel difficulties related to the condition. This incident follows a 2016 event where she was removed from a flight after a verbal outburst, which she later attributed to mixing alcohol and medication.

How outlets are covering it

CBS News and NBC News both report that Blair was taken into custody and that the FBI is investigating a potential assault. CBS News provides specific details from air traffic control audio and a law enforcement source, noting that Blair allegedly kicked a police officer in the ambulance and assaulted a nurse at the hospital. NBC News emphasizes the Port Authority’s statement that two attendants were injured and one hospitalized, while noting the FAA is also investigating a passenger disturbance. All sources agree that Blair’s representative described the event as a medical emergency but declined to provide specifics.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the intersection of celebrity conduct, federal aviation security, and the handling of medical emergencies in public spaces. The dual state and federal charges underscore the legal complexities of assaults occurring on aircraft, while the lack of specific details regarding the medical emergency raises questions about the adequacy of airline protocols for passengers with undisclosed health conditions.

What to watch

Blair is expected to face arraignment on the state assault charges. The FBI investigation into the federal assault charge will proceed separately. No further details regarding the medical emergency have been released, and Blair’s service dog remains in the custody of her attorney.