Stowaway Sneaks Onto Delta Flight to Paris!

​(Rightallegiance.com) – In a startling breach of airport security, a 57-year-old Russian national residing in the United States managed to board a Delta Air Lines flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Paris’s Charles de Gaulle Airport without a valid boarding pass. The incident, which occurred on November 26, 2024, has raised significant concerns about aviation security protocols.​

The woman, later identified as Svetlana Dali, evaded multiple security measures at JFK Airport, including identity verification and boarding status checks. She concealed herself in the aircraft’s lavatory during takeoff and remained undetected until the flight was nearing its destination in Paris. A passenger reported observing her moving between lavatories during the flight, which eventually led to her discovery.

Upon landing in Paris, French authorities escorted Dali off the aircraft. She was placed in a holding area due to her lack of valid travel documents, as she had previously applied for asylum in France but had not been granted entry. Delta Air Lines confirmed that Flight 265, scheduled to return to New York, was delayed due to an unruly passenger, later identified as Dali.

Dali was initially held without bail following her arrest. Prosecutors and her defense attorney engaged in plea negotiations, which included discussions about a mental health evaluation. The case drew attention due to its similarities to other recent stowaway incidents and raised broader concerns about vulnerabilities in aviation security.

The incident exposed significant lapses in airport security, particularly regarding perimeter controls and passenger verification processes. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) acknowledged that Dali underwent security screening at JFK but was not carrying prohibited items. Delta Air Lines stated that it was conducting a thorough investigation and would collaborate with aviation stakeholders and law enforcement to address the security breach.

The unauthorized boarding of Delta Flight 264 serves as a stark reminder of the potential vulnerabilities within airport security systems. The incident has prompted a reevaluation of existing protocols to prevent similar breaches in the future, underscoring the need for continuous vigilance and improvement in aviation security measures.