Actress Bites Flight Attendant and Tries to Open Plane Door Mid-Air

Hollywood actress Selma Blair is facing serious legal trouble after allegedly trying to open an airplane door in midair, biting a flight attendant and punching another during a chaotic flight from Los Angeles to New York.

But the disturbing allegations didn’t end when the plane landed.

The 54-year-old Legally Blonde star is also accused of attacking a police officer and a hospital nurse after being taken into custody, turning an already alarming airline incident into a potential federal criminal case.

The confrontation unfolded Sunday, October 11, aboard Delta Air Lines Flight 938, which was traveling from Los Angeles International Airport to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

According to TMZ, Blair allegedly attempted to open an aircraft door while the plane was still in flight, prompting flight attendants to intervene.

The situation reportedly escalated when the actress punched one crew member and bit another. One attendant suffered a laceration, while the other sustained a bite injury, according to law enforcement sources.

The flight crew restrained Blair until the plane reached New York, where Port Authority police officers were waiting.

Around 11 p.m., officers responded to the aircraft after receiving reports of a physically abusive passenger.

Both flight attendants reported injuries, and one required hospital treatment.

Air traffic control recordings captured the pilot requesting medical assistance for the injured crew members, mentioning a bloody nose and bite marks. The pilot also indicated that the disruptive passenger might need medical attention.

But according to investigators, Blair’s alleged behavior continued after she was removed from the aircraft.

Law enforcement sources told CBS New York that the actress repeatedly kicked a Port Authority police officer while being transported to Jamaica Hospital for evaluation.

Once at the hospital, she allegedly assaulted a nurse.

Blair is facing two state assault charges connected to the alleged attacks on the officer and nurse, while federal authorities are separately examining what happened aboard the aircraft.

The FBI has also issued a federal violation notice alleging assault within federal jurisdiction, according to law enforcement reporting. The aviation-related matter is expected to be handled in federal court in Brooklyn.

The actress’s representatives, however, say there is a medical explanation for what happened.

“Selma experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct,” a representative said in a statement.

“Upon landing, she received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition.”

The exact nature of the medical emergency has not been disclosed.

Delta confirmed that Flight 938 arrived ahead of schedule and said the disturbance did not significantly disrupt flight operations.

“Delta has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first,” the airline said.

The frightening allegations have also brought renewed attention to an earlier incident involving Blair aboard an airplane.

In June 2016, the actress was hospitalized following a disturbing episode on a flight from Cancun, Mexico, to Los Angeles while traveling with her young son, Arthur Saint, and his father, fashion designer Jason Bleick.

Witnesses reported that Blair appeared disoriented and made alarming statements before being removed from the aircraft for medical attention.

She later apologized publicly, explaining that she had consumed alcohol while taking medication, a combination she said caused her to lose awareness of her behavior.

“I made a big mistake yesterday,” Blair said at the time, acknowledging the distress the incident caused fellow passengers and crew.

Nearly a decade later, the actress is confronting another frightening airplane controversy, although there is no evidence that Sunday’s incident involved alcohol or medication.

Blair revealed in 2018 that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a chronic neurological condition affecting the central nervous system.

The diagnosis came after years of unexplained symptoms, including mobility difficulties, fatigue and problems with coordination.

In 2019, she underwent intensive treatment involving chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. She later announced that her disease was in remission.

Her medical journey became the subject of the 2021 documentary Introducing, Selma Blair, which followed her treatment and the challenges of living with a chronic illness.

The actress has since become a prominent disability rights advocate, speaking openly about her health struggles and encouraging greater understanding of people living with neurological conditions.

However, neither Blair nor her representatives have said that multiple sclerosis played a role in the latest incident. Any suggestion that her diagnosis caused the alleged behavior would be speculation.

Blair first became a Hollywood star through her performances in Cruel Intentions, Legally Blonde and The Sweetest Thing. She later appeared in the Hellboy films and portrayed Kris Jenner in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.

Her career has spanned nearly three decades, making her a familiar face to millions of moviegoers.

Now, the actress faces a very different kind of public scrutiny.

Under federal law, interfering with flight crew members through assault or intimidation can carry substantial criminal penalties. However, the maximum penalties associated with more serious federal aviation offenses should not be confused with the specific violation Blair has reportedly received.

The state allegations involving the police officer and nurse will also be handled separately from the federal investigation.

As of October 12, Blair’s representative said the actress was medically stable, but authorities had not publicly established what caused the alleged disturbance or when all the legal proceedings would take place.

For now, a flight that was supposed to be an ordinary cross-country trip has left two airline employees injured, an actress facing multiple legal allegations and investigators working to determine exactly what happened thousands of feet above the ground.