Authorities are investigating a significant security breach after a 57-year-old woman with a Russian passport and U.S. green card boarded Delta Air Lines Flight 264 from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport without a ticket or valid travel documents. The incident occurred on November 26, 2024, during one of the year’s busiest travel periods.
The woman bypassed multiple security checkpoints, including the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) passport and boarding pass verification, and successfully passed through physical screening without prohibited items. She then evaded Delta’s boarding procedures and boarded the fully booked flight. Flight attendants became suspicious due to her frequent and prolonged use of different lavatories during the flight. Upon arrival in Paris, French police detained her for lacking valid entry documents.
While in custody at Charles de Gaulle Airport, the woman requested asylum in France, which was denied. She was scheduled to return to the U.S. on November 30, but caused a disturbance on the return flight, stating she did not want to go back to the U.S. and invoking the Geneva Convention. As a result, she was removed from the aircraft before takeoff and remains in French custody.
Delta Air Lines and the TSA are conducting thorough investigations into the breach. A Delta spokesperson emphasized the airline’s commitment to safety and security, stating, “Delta is conducting an exhaustive investigation of what may have occurred and will work collaboratively with other aviation stakeholders and law enforcement to that end.” The TSA confirmed that the individual was screened without any prohibited items and is independently reviewing the incident.
Upon her eventual return to the U.S., the woman is expected to face multiple charges, including theft of services. Port Authority officers are prepared to arrest her upon arrival. The incident has raised concerns about airport security protocols, prompting reviews to prevent future occurrences.
