Saturday, July 12, 2025
A 57-year-old woman originally from Russia has been handed a sentence after managing to unlawfully board a Delta Air Lines flight from New York City to Paris without possessing a valid ticket. Although she was sentenced to time served in her federal case, she remains in custody over new security breach charges in Connecticut.
Svetlana Dali, a U.S. A permanent U.S. resident drew global scrutiny after successfully slipping onto a Delta Air Lines flight departing from John F. On November 26, 2024, she boarded a flight from New York’s Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Paris’s Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) without ever showing a boarding pass. Her unauthorized presence on the flight exposed serious weaknesses in airport security protocols.
How She Boarded the Paris Flight Undetected
Just two days before the Paris flight, Dali attempted to sneak through security at Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Connecticut on November 24, 2024. Although she blended in with a group of passengers, she did not board a plane that day.
Her second attempt, however, was successful.At John F. Kennedy Airport, Dali is believed to have gained access by trailing behind an Air Europa (UX) flight crew as they passed through a staff-only security checkpoint designated for airline personnel. She later slipped past Delta staff at the gate, using the crowd to her advantage.
Once on board, she hid in a lavatory and remained undetected for hours. Her presence was uncovered only as the plane approached its final descent into Paris.
Federal Sentencing and New Arrest Warrant
In May 2025, Dali was convicted on federal stowaway charges. On July 10, 2025, a judge in Brooklyn sentenced her to time served—amounting to nearly seven months in detention—and placed her on one year of supervised release, including mandatory mental health treatment.
However, before she could be released, officials from Connecticut issued a new arrest warrant for her earlier attempt to breach security at Bradley Airport. She now faces extradition and felony charges that could result in up to five years in prison.
Unusual Defense and Courtroom Claims
Dali represented herself during the trial. She claimed that airport staff never asked for her boarding pass and that she went into the airplane bathroom because she felt unwell. At her sentencing, she addressed the court for more than 30 minutes, through a Russian interpreter, alleging that she was being poisoned and fled the country to protect herself.
She asked the judge to authorize medical tests to support her claims, which she argued were the motivation for her behavior. The judge acknowledged Dali’s difficult background but emphasized that sneaking onto a flight without a ticket was a serious safety concern.
Previous Violations and Repeat Behavior
Dali has a record of bypassing airport protocols. In February 2024, she was found hiding in a restroom at Miami International Airport (MIA) in an apparent illegal entry attempt.
In December 2024, following her release from custody in connection with the Paris incident, she reportedly removed her electronic ankle monitor and tried to illegally cross into Canada via the Peace Bridge in Buffalo, New York. Authorities also cited disruptive conduct during her return from Paris that delayed her extradition.
Aviation Security Gaps Under the Microscope
Her case has raised alarms about the effectiveness of current airport security. Prosecutors warned that similar breaches could inspire copycat attempts. Dali’s ability to exploit weaknesses at multiple airports indicates that more stringent procedures are needed—especially in employee-only screening zones and boarding gate operations.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), along with Delta Air Lines and Air Europa, have faced growing scrutiny over how Dali was able to bypass multiple security layers.
Conclusion
Dali’s legal journey is far from over. While the New York case has concluded, she is now facing a new legal battle in Connecticut. Her story underscores the importance of not just responding to security violations, but proactively identifying and fixing systemic vulnerabilities within the aviation industry.
