Russian Woman's Persistent Flight Without Ticket Sparks Security Questions
Svetlana Dali, a Russian citizen and legal permanent US resident, has once again made headlines for an unusual reason. In February 2026, she was arrested after attempting to board a United Airlines flight to Milan without a ticket. This incident follows a previous conviction in 2024 for a similar offense, where she sneaked onto a Delta Air Lines flight to Paris.
On February 25th, Dali evaded airline employees at Newark Liberty International Airport's Gate C74 and boarded United flight 19 bound for Milan. During the seven-hour flight, airline staff discovered her absence of a ticket, leading to her detention upon arrival in Milan by local law enforcement.
The FBI's Newark office confirmed their awareness of the incident, stating they are collaborating with the Transportation Security Administration and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on an ongoing investigation. United Airlines also emphasized their commitment to safety and security, indicating they are working closely with authorities.
This isn't Dali's first encounter with the law. In November 2024, she stowed away on a Delta Air Lines flight from JFK, claiming she was poisoned. Surveillance footage captured her bypassing Delta staff and boarding the Paris-bound plane. She spent time hiding in the bathroom to avoid detection but was eventually found and detained in Paris. After her arrest, she was extradited to the US and appeared in a Brooklyn court, where her court-appointed lawyer argued for her release, emphasizing her lack of a serious risk of flight.
Despite her release without bail in November, Dali's actions in January, when she cut off her ankle bracelet and attempted to board a Greyhound bus to Canada, led to her re-arrest and incarceration at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Centre. At the time of her most recent arrest, she was still under one year of supervised release.
This case raises questions about the effectiveness of security measures and the potential risks associated with individuals evading boarding procedures. It also highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in preventing such incidents, especially when individuals have a history of similar behavior.
