TSA Reveals How Stowaway Bypassed Security Checkpoints to Board Delta Flight to Paris

Image: Delta Air Lines planes at JFK Airport. (Photo Credit: valeriyap/Adobe)
Image: Delta Air Lines planes at JFK Airport. (Photo Credit: valeriyap/Adobe)
Patrick Clarke
by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 12:15 PM ET, Wed December 4, 2024

Security officials now believe they know how a 57-year-old Russian woman was able to sneak her way onto a Paris-bound Delta Air Lines at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport on November 26.

A spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) told CNN that the woman initially bypassed an airport terminal employee monitoring the line for the Known Crewmember checkpoint at JFK's Terminal 4 main checkpoint.

From there, the woman joined the line for standard TSA screening, bypassing stations where her ID and boarding pass would have been checked.

Once at the gate, the woman is alleged to have placed herself in the middle of what looked like a family traveling together, CNN reports, citing a senior law enforcement official briefed on the investigation.

Officials believe the busy Thanksgiving travel period may have played a role as TSA screened a record number of passengers.

Delta has only said it "is conducting an exhaustive investigation of what may have occurred" while TSA is preparing to bring a civil case against the woman.

"The TSA will open civil cases against passengers when there’s evidence that procedures may have been violated,” spokesperson Alexa Lopez told CNN. The agency can only refer criminal charges to the Justice Department.

The woman is scheduled to fly back to New York City aboard Delta escorted by two French security officials on Wednesday.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

Discover the Essence of Extraordinary Travel with Villas of Distinction

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      Patrick Clarke

      Patrick Clarke

      Senior Editor

      A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher

      Airlines and Airports Suppliers

      Become A Travel Expert

      Upcoming Webinar
      2025 Travel Trends – How to Maximize Your SalesTuesday, December 17, 2024
      2:00pm Eastern
      Join us for a dynamic session where we’ll dive into the key travel trends shaping the industry in...
      Upcoming Webinar
      This is Windstar CruisesWednesday, December 18, 2024 2:00pm EasternLearn about all things Windstar and end the year with the tools to kick off an incredible 2025....
      Upcoming Webinar
      Kensington 2025 Travel Trends ReportFriday, December 20, 2024
      2:00pm Eastern
      Kensington is thrilled to announce that our 2025 Travel Trends Report is finally here – and we can’t...
      Upcoming Webinar
      2025 Travel Trends – How to Maximize Your SalesTuesday, December 17, 2024
      2:00pm Eastern
      Join us for a dynamic session where we’ll dive into the key travel trends shaping the industry in...
      Upcoming Webinar
      This is Windstar CruisesWednesday, December 18, 2024 2:00pm EasternLearn about all things Windstar and end the year with the tools to kick off an incredible 2025....
      Upcoming Webinar
      Kensington 2025 Travel Trends ReportFriday, December 20, 2024
      2:00pm Eastern
      Kensington is thrilled to announce that our 2025 Travel Trends Report is finally here – and we can’t...

      Get To Know Us Better

      Agent At Home

      Helping leisure selling travel agents successfully manage their at-home business.

      Subscribe For Free

      Agent Specialization: Group Travel

      Laurence Pinckney

      Laurence Pinckney

      CEO of Zenbiz Travel, LLC

      About Me
      Agent At Home

      Helping leisure selling travel agents successfully manage their at-home business.

      Subscribe For Free

      Agent Specialization: Group Travel

      Laurence Pinckney

      Laurence Pinckney

      CEO of Zenbiz Travel, LLC

      About Me