**Serial Stowaway Arrested Again After Sneaking onto United Airlines Flight**
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Svetlana Dali, a notorious stowaway, has been arrested once more after managing to board a United Airlines flight from New Jersey to Milan without a ticket. This incident occurred on February 25, 2025, when Dali successfully evaded security at Newark Liberty International Airport and boarded United Flight 19. The crew only realised she was on the flight once it was airborne and crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
Reports indicate that Dali accessed the aircraft by bypassing ticketing agents, but details surrounding her methods of evasion remain unclear. Once aboard, she allegedly pretended not to hear questions from the cabin crew regarding her ticket status. The flight crew later confirmed her lack of a ticket, and she was detained upon landing in Milan.
An official from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) confirmed that they were looking into the incident, collaborating with airport authorities and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for a thorough investigation. A spokesperson for United Airlines stated that the airline is conducting its own inquiry and is working closely with relevant authorities to address the situation.
This is not Dali’s first offence; she has a history of similar behaviour. In May 2025, she was convicted after sneaking onto a Delta Airlines flight from New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris on November 26, 2024. During her previous court appearance, Dali claimed she simply walked onboard, blending in with other passengers while eluding the airline staff, who apparently did not check her boarding pass. Video footage from the terminal showed her mingling with travellers before boarding undetected.
During that incident, Dali admitted to hiding in the aircraft’s lavatory for almost the entire duration of the flight due to feeling unwell. Following her arrest, she was sentenced to time already served and given a year’s supervised release.
In light of Dali’s repeated breaches of security, measures at airports are under scrutiny. TSA Administrator David Pekoske stated in December 2024 that although Dali had been screened, evading checkpoints is an infrequent occurrence, particularly during busy travel periods like Thanksgiving. The TSA has since implemented additional security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the investigation into Dali’s latest escapade unfolds, both airlines and authorities are reviewing procedures to ensure passenger safety. United Airlines emphasised that the safety and security of their flights remain their highest priority. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees Newark Liberty International Airport, has not yet commented on the episode.
Dali’s attorney, Michael Schneider, has yet to provide a statement regarding the incident. The public remains keenly interested in how Dali managed to breach security protocols yet again, raising questions about airport screening practices and the vulnerabilities present.
With her history of stowaway incidents and the recent arrest, Svetlana Dali exemplifies a growing concern surrounding airport security. As airlines and officials work to address these security lapses, passengers are left wondering how someone could repeatedly gain unauthorised access to commercial flights.
The outcome of the ongoing investigations may lead to significant changes in how airports approach security, particularly for high-volume travel times. For now, authorities are focused on ensuring such incidents do not happen again while also holding Dali accountable for her actions.