Delta Stowaway Deported After Week-Long Saga

A dramatic sequence of events unfolded as Svetlana Dali, a 57-year-old woman, was deported back to the U.S. after managing to board a Delta Air Lines flight from New York to Paris without a ticket. Dali’s unauthorized journey and subsequent deportation spanned a tumultuous week, culminating in her arrest upon arrival in New York.

Dali’s journey began on November 26, 2024, when she was discovered aboard Delta flight DL264 en route to Paris-Charles De Gaulle Airport from New York-JFK Airport. Despite the discovery mid-flight, the crew proceeded to Paris where Dali was detained by French authorities. Reports identified her as a Philadelphia resident living in the U.S. on a green card, but described by the French Ministry of the Interior as a Russian national.

The initial attempt to deport Dali on November 30 ended abruptly when she caused a disturbance before takeoff on Delta flight DL265, leading to her offloading and further detention by French police. It was noted that while French authorities escorted her to the plane, no officers accompanied her on the flight back to New York. Delta, responsible for her initial journey to France, was also tasked with her return to the U.S.

On December 5, Dali was placed on another Delta flight, this time escorted by both French law enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents. Upon landing, she was taken into custody by the New York Police Department and subsequently arrested by FBI agents.

During her arraignment in Brooklyn’s district court on December 5, Dali was charged with being a stowaway on a commercial airline—a crime that could result in up to five years in prison. At the hearing, she appeared to be in pain and was accompanied by her attorney, Michael Schneider, and a Russian translator. Her attorney compared her actions to minor theft or fare evasion, emphasizing that she passed through TSA security checks without incident. Dali did not enter a plea, adhering to standard U.S. legal procedures where pleas are not typically entered until indictment.

Dali’s legal troubles are far from over as she faces a return to court on December 6, 2024. Her attorney has expressed concerns for her safety if she remains detained, prompting negotiations for a bail package and address verification. As the case progresses, Dali’s actions have sparked broader discussions about airport security and the consequences of such breaches.

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