A Russian woman identified as Zhanna Dali faces federal charges after allegedly sneaking past security at New York’s JFK Airport and boarding a Paris-bound Delta flight without a ticket. The incident, which occurred on November 26, raised serious concerns about airport security procedures.
According to prosecutors, Dali entered JFK’s Terminal 4 at 8:13 p.m. and attempted to pass a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint. When unable to produce a boarding pass, she joined an Air Europa flight crew in a line reserved for employees. Surveillance footage shows she successfully blended in and eventually passed through TSA screening. By 10 p.m., she boarded the flight at Gate B38 without being questioned by Delta staff, who were occupied assisting ticketed passengers.
Flight attendants discovered Dali hiding in the plane’s restroom mid-flight. Upon landing in Paris, French authorities detained her, delaying her extradition back to the United States. She arrived in New York on December 6 to face charges of unlawfully boarding the aircraft.
In court, Dali’s public defender, Michael Schneider, argued that her charges were minor, likening them to fare evasion. Dali claimed mistreatment in custody, alleging she was kept in a cold room, vomited through the night, and was unconscious at times. Schneider stated his client believes her life is in danger at the Metropolitan Detention Center.
Dali’s motives remain unclear. Reports suggest she requested asylum in France, which was denied. Her social media posts reveal erratic behavior, including offers to sell her blood during the pandemic and claims of possessing information on U.S. election fraud.
This breach highlights lapses in airport security and the need for stricter oversight to prevent similar incidents. Federal authorities are investigating how Dali bypassed multiple layers of screening undetected.
