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A serial stowaway has been caught yet again trying to sneak across the Atlantic without a ticket. What’s even more concerning is that incidents like this are becoming more common, highlighting flaws in American airport security policies.
In November 2024, Svetlana Dali boarded a Delta Air Lines flight from New York to Paris, France, and was only caught because the flight was completely sold out. She somehow managed to make it all the way to France, and was busted during the descent phase when they noticed her switching between various lavatories throughout the aircraft.
Dali is once again making headlines, this time for trying to stowaway on a flight from Newark to Milan, Italy. Unlike the previous incident, details are very limited. However, it is understood that the Russian-born individual with U.S. residency managed to slip by all the security checkpoints, and was only taken into custody by Italian law enforcement officials once the aircraft was parked at the gate.
On February 25, Dali snuck on United flight UA19, and was again caught out by cabin crew during the later stages of the flight. One passenger reported seeing Dali arguing with crew members during the flight, before she was taken into custody in Milan.
In a statement to media, a United Airliners spokesperson said:
“Safety and security are our highest priorities. We are investigating this incident and working with the appropriate authorities.”
The FBI has also acknowledged in the incident, and says they are working with the airline and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to investigate what took place.
Credit: Niagara County Sheriff’s Office
This isn’t Dali’s first or second attempt, but rather her fourth in a string of stowaway incidents. In February 2024, officials at Miami International Airport found her hiding in one of the bathrooms beyond the security checkpoints, but were unable to determine her intentions, and escorted her out of the airport.
On November 24, 2024, she entered the secure area at Bradley International Airport, most likely with the intention of boarding a flight to Europe. She eventually left on her own accord, and was only discovered after officials reviewed CCTV footage. This would only came to light later on following the investigation into her New York adventure.
On November 26 that same year, she tried her luck at John F. Kennedy International Airport, almost making it to Paris before she was caught by crew members. After being flown back to the United States, she was released on bail with an ankle monitor. She cut the straps of the monitor, and tried to flee to Canada, where she was caught at the border.
She was imprisoned for about seven months while awaiting trial. In July 2025, she was later found guilty of stowing away on the Delta flight to Paris, and was given a “time served” sentence, and one year of supervised release. Now that she has tried to stowaway again, things aren’t looking so good for Dali anymore.
Looking at her last two attempts, it is clear that security practices need to be revisited as she managed to skirt her way past TSA and the gate agents. Video evidence from the New York incident shows her blending in with other people, bypassing the initial TSA agent checkpoint. She also took advantage of the distracted gate agents to make her way on board the aircraft.
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