How a Stowaway Slipped Onto a Flight from JFK to Paris: A Security Wake-Up Call
A recent incident at New York’s JFK Airport has raised serious questions about airport security after a woman managed to board a flight to Paris without a passport or boarding pass. Svetlana Dali, a 57-year-old woman originally from Russia, bypassed multiple security checkpoints during the busy Thanksgiving travel period before stowing away on a Delta Air Lines flight to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.
How It Happened
On November 26, Ms. Dali arrived at JFK’s Terminal 4 and made her first attempt to enter the security screening line. When asked for a boarding pass, she was turned away. Undeterred, she joined a line designated for flight crews, blending in with a large group from Air Europa, a Spanish airline.
She successfully passed through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint alongside other ticketed passengers, undergoing the same screening for weapons and prohibited items. Roughly 90 minutes later, she slipped past Delta employees at the boarding gate, who were preoccupied assisting other travelers.
Ms. Dali boarded the fully booked flight, evading detection until the plane was nearing Paris. During the seven-hour journey, she reportedly spent much of her time in the aircraft’s bathrooms to avoid being noticed.
Discovery and Detention in France
Her presence came to light shortly before landing, when a flight crew member realized she did not have an assigned seat and asked for her boarding pass. Unable to produce one, Ms. Dali was reported to French authorities as a stowaway.
Upon landing, French police detained her before she could pass through customs. She spent several days in French custody before being returned to the United States.
The Journey Back
Ms. Dali’s repatriation to the U.S. was fraught with complications. On her first attempted return flight on November 30, she was removed for disruptive behavior. A second attempt on December 3 was also unsuccessful after Delta refused to allow her to remain onboard.
She finally returned to JFK on December 4, escorted by French and U.S. authorities. Upon arrival, FBI agents arrested her, and she now faces federal charges for “secreting aboard a vessel,” which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Court Proceedings
During her arraignment in Brooklyn federal court, Ms. Dali’s lawyer, Michael Schneider, described the charge as minor, comparing it to “theft of services or jumping a turnstile.” He emphasized that she underwent TSA screening and posed no apparent threat to the flight.
However, prosecutors voiced concerns about her stability and risk of flight. They cited inconsistencies in her reported addresses—one in Philadelphia and another in Washington, D.C.—and bizarre claims in past complaints she filed, including one alleging she was sold for $20,000 by a Russian official in 2014.
Ms. Dali also alleged she had been poisoned while detained in Brooklyn, saying she vomited and briefly lost consciousness. Her lawyer argued that her health might be at risk if she remained in custody.
Airport Security Failures
This incident underscores significant lapses in security at JFK. Mary Schiavo, a former inspector general for the U.S. Department of Transportation, criticized the multiple breakdowns in procedure.
“This was a lot of failures in one day,” Schiavo said. “The system is lucky she wasn’t intending to harm the plane or passengers.”
While the TSA stated that Ms. Dali was screened for prohibited items, Schiavo countered, saying, “She was the big prohibited item.”
Delta Air Lines admitted that the breach resulted from a deviation from standard procedures but maintained that its overall security infrastructure remains sound.
What’s Next for Ms. Dali?
Currently held in custody, Ms. Dali’s future remains uncertain as her legal team negotiates bail and prepares her defense. Regardless of the outcome, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within airport security systems and the importance of vigilance, particularly during peak travel seasons.
As this story unfolds, it’s clear that both airlines and security agencies will need to reassess and reinforce their procedures to prevent similar breaches in the future.
