Celebs Caught Behaving Badly on Planes

Flying can be stressful for everyone, and even celebrities sometimes have difficult experiences on planes, leading to arguments, ignoring safety rules, or causing flights to return to the gate. These incidents – which have included passengers being removed from planes, emergency landings, and police intervention – have often made the news and resulted in public apologies, fines, or arrests. Here are some well-known examples of celebrities whose behavior on airplanes caused problems and had lasting consequences.

Alec Baldwin

In December 2011, actor Alec Baldwin was asked to leave an American Airlines flight at LAX after he wouldn’t turn off his phone while playing a game. The plane had already begun moving away from the gate, but it had to return so crew members could help him off. Baldwin apologized to the other passengers but also criticized the airline’s rules. The incident led to discussions about rules for using electronic devices on planes, and those rules were later made more flexible across the airline industry.

Naomi Campbell

In April 2008, Naomi Campbell was taken off a British Airways flight at Heathrow Airport after a disagreement over lost luggage – a problem the airport was already experiencing. After a heated argument on the plane, police escorted her off and arrested her. She later admitted wrongdoing and was ordered to perform community service. Campbell also apologized and reached a resolution with the airline.

Mike Tyson

In April 2022, a video surfaced showing Mike Tyson hitting another passenger on a JetBlue flight leaving San Francisco. This followed a series of interactions between the two before the plane took off. After landing, police questioned those involved, and Tyson’s team stated he had been provoked. While no criminal charges were filed, the incident led to discussions about how people behave on flights and the privacy of celebrities.

Tara Reid

In October 2018, actress Tara Reid was asked to leave a Delta flight in Los Angeles due to a dispute about seating and luggage space. The plane had to return to the gate, but she exited peacefully and was able to catch another flight to her destination. Delta confirmed they removed her to keep the flight safe and avoid causing problems for other passengers.

Lil Pump

In December 2018, Lil Pump was taken off a JetBlue flight in Miami after a disagreement with the flight crew. It started when there was a problem with his checked baggage. Airline staff reported that both he and his manager became verbally aggressive, which led to the police being called. He was briefly held and received a citation for disturbing the peace. The issue with the bag and the following argument caused a delay for all the other passengers on the flight.

Billie Joe Armstrong

In September 2011, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day was asked to leave a Southwest Airlines flight in Oakland because he wouldn’t pull up his pants as requested by the flight crew. He was put on a different flight later. Southwest Airlines confirmed the incident and eventually apologized to Armstrong. He then discussed the situation online, which brought a lot of public attention to how airlines enforce their dress codes.

Josh Duhamel

In December 2010, actor Josh Duhamel was asked to leave a US Airways flight in New York because he wouldn’t turn off his BlackBerry phone while the plane was taxiing. The flight had to return to the gate so he could be removed. Duhamel’s team later stated he was sorry for any trouble this caused other passengers. The situation drew attention to the strict rules about using electronic devices before takeoff at that time.

Gérard Depardieu

In August 2011, actor Gérard Depardieu caused a flight delay from Paris to Dublin when he urinated in a bottle while the plane was taxiing. He had been told he couldn’t use the restroom at that time. The flight had to return to the gate to be cleaned, causing a later departure. CityJet confirmed the incident and apologized to passengers. While Depardieu’s team explained he had a medical issue, his actions still received significant criticism.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Between the late 2000s and 2010, Jonathan Rhys Meyers had several issues with airlines due to intoxication, including being prevented from boarding planes and being removed from flights. In 2010, United Airlines reportedly banned him after an incident before a flight. The actor later sought help for alcohol-related problems. Airlines stated that their crews have the right to refuse service if passenger behavior threatens safety or causes disruption.

Azealia Banks

In September 2015, Azealia Banks had a dispute with a flight attendant on a Delta flight, reportedly using offensive language during an argument in the aisle. Then, in early 2019, she left an Aer Lingus flight in Dublin before it took off after a disagreement with staff, and she later shared details of the incident online. The airline stated she chose to leave the flight and was rebooked on another. Both situations highlighted conflicts between passengers and crew, and the power airlines have over their flights.

Odell Beckham Jr.

In November 2022, Odell Beckham Jr. was asked to leave an American Airlines flight in Miami because crew members noticed he seemed to be drifting in and out of sleep and wouldn’t buckle his seatbelt. Police came onto the plane, but didn’t arrest him, and escorted him off after the flight returned to the gate. Beckham’s lawyer said he was simply sleeping. Both the airline and police stated they followed standard safety procedures when asking him to deplane.

Selma Blair

In June 2016, actress Selma Blair had a health issue on a Delta flight returning from Mexico. It happened after she combined medication with alcohol. Flight crew and a doctor on board helped her, and the plane landed as planned, where medical staff were waiting. Blair later explained what happened and apologized. She received medical attention and wasn’t charged with any wrongdoing.

Wes Scantlin

Okay, so back in 2012, Puddle of Mudd’s singer, Wes Scantlin, caused a real scene on a flight. It got so bad, the plane actually had to make an emergency landing in Austin, and he was arrested for being drunk and disorderly. Apparently, he was arguing with the flight crew, which is why they had to divert. Sadly, this wasn’t a one-time thing – he had a few more travel-related issues in the years that followed. The airline made it clear at the time that they don’t mess around when someone’s behavior puts the safety or order of the flight at risk.

Ralph Fiennes

In 2007, actor Ralph Fiennes was involved in a public incident on a Qantas flight. A flight attendant faced disciplinary action after reportedly entering a restroom with a passenger, leading the airline to review its policies for staff and passengers. While the incident sparked discussion about professional boundaries and policy adherence, authorities decided not to press charges after looking into the matter.

Anthony Anderson

In 2016, actor Anthony Anderson had a disagreement with Delta staff during boarding in Atlanta, leading to him being temporarily removed from a flight. He later stated he was rebooked on a different flight. Delta confirmed there was a delay at the gate due to the incident, highlighting how disagreements during boarding can sometimes result in passengers being asked to leave the plane.

Dina Lohan

I remember back in 2013, there was a bit of a scene with Dina Lohan on a flight. Apparently, she caused a disturbance that got the flight crew involved, and the police actually had to meet the plane when it landed. She was questioned, but thankfully wasn’t arrested. From what I read at the time, alcohol may have been a factor. It was just one of several travel-related stories about her that year, honestly.

Whitney Houston

In 2011, Whitney Houston caused a brief delay on a Delta flight in Atlanta when she initially refused to buckle her seatbelt. Flight crew assisted her in fastening it, allowing the flight to take off as planned. There were no arrests or further issues, and the incident served as a reminder that all passengers must follow seatbelt regulations.

Gerard Way

In 2011, Gerard Way was asked to leave a flight before takeoff after a disagreement with airline staff over his carry-on luggage. The situation happened at the gate and caused a delay. He was rebooked on another flight without any further problems. The airline stated they supported their crew’s right to handle baggage issues that were slowing down boarding. Way later mentioned the incident when talking to his fans.

Desiigner

In April 2023, rapper Desiigner was investigated after an incident of indecent exposure on a Delta flight. He was met by authorities when the plane landed and later publicly discussed his mental health, taking responsibility for his actions. He agreed to perform community service as part of a legal settlement. The incident sparked a broader conversation about how airlines and police respond to disruptive behavior on flights that may be related to mental health issues.

Andy Dick

In 2010, comedian Andy Dick was held for questioning by police after a flight due to reports of disruptive and inappropriate behavior towards other passengers. He was released while authorities investigated the complaints, adding to a pattern of similar incidents during his travels that year. Airlines reminded the public that even without a flight being rerouted, problematic behavior can still result in police intervention after landing.

Let us know in the comments which of these events was most shocking to you, and whether airlines should have tougher rules for celebrities who cause problems on flights.

2025-10-30 21:19