Celebs Caught Behaving Badly on Planes

Air travel puts everyone under pressure, and even famous faces aren’t immune to midair meltdowns, seatbelt standoffs, or rule-breaking that gets a flight turned around. From ejections before takeoff to unscheduled landings and police escorts, these incidents made headlines and sometimes led to apologies, fines, or even arrests. Here are notable cases where celebrity conduct on planes caused disruptions and consequences that followed them long after landing.

Alec Baldwin

In December 2011, Alec Baldwin was removed from an American Airlines flight at Los Angeles International Airport after refusing to power down his phone while playing a game. The aircraft returned to the gate during pushback so crew could deplane him. Baldwin later issued a public apology to fellow passengers while criticizing the airline’s policies at the time. The incident sparked a broader conversation about electronic device rules that were later relaxed industry-wide.

Naomi Campbell

In April 2008, Naomi Campbell was removed from a British Airways flight at London Heathrow following a dispute about missing luggage connected to the airport’s baggage problems. Police boarded the plane and arrested her after a confrontation that escalated on board. She later pleaded guilty to several offenses and received community service. Campbell also apologized for her behavior and settled matters with the airline.

Mike Tyson

In April 2022, Mike Tyson was filmed striking a fellow passenger on a JetBlue flight departing San Francisco after repeated interactions before takeoff. Law enforcement interviewed those involved once the plane landed, and Tyson’s representatives said he had been harassed. No criminal charges were filed, though civil claims surfaced afterward. The episode reignited discussion about passenger conduct and celebrity privacy in confined spaces.

Tara Reid

In October 2018, Tara Reid was asked to leave a Delta Air Lines flight departing Los Angeles after a disagreement over seat assignments and an overhead bin. The plane returned to the gate and she deplaned without further incident. Reid later boarded another flight to her destination. Delta confirmed the removal and said the crew acted to minimize disruption and ensure safety.

Lil Pump

In December 2018, rapper Lil Pump was removed from a JetBlue flight at Miami after a dispute with crew that began over a checked bag. Airline staff said he and his manager became verbally aggressive, prompting police involvement at the gate. He was briefly detained and cited for disorderly conduct. The bag issue and subsequent argument delayed the flight for other passengers.

Billie Joe Armstrong

In September 2011, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong was asked to leave a Southwest Airlines flight in Oakland after refusing a crew request to pull up his sagging pants before departure. He was rebooked onto a later flight following the removal. The airline issued a statement acknowledging the incident and later apologized to him. Armstrong referenced the episode on social media, drawing widespread attention to airline dress-code enforcement.

Josh Duhamel

In December 2010, Josh Duhamel was ejected from a US Airways flight in New York after repeatedly declining to turn off his BlackBerry during taxiing. The refusal prompted the crew to return to the gate so he could be removed. Duhamel’s representatives later said he regretted the inconvenience caused to other passengers. The incident highlighted the strict pre-takeoff device rules in place at the time.

Gérard Depardieu

In August 2011, Gérard Depardieu caused a delay on a CityJet flight from Paris to Dublin when he urinated into a bottle during taxi after being told he could not use the lavatory. The plane returned to the gate for cleanup and departed later than scheduled. The airline confirmed the account and apologized to passengers for the inconvenience. Depardieu’s representatives said he had a medical need, but the behavior still drew heavy criticism.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Across several years in the late 2000s, Jonathan Rhys Meyers faced multiple airline incidents linked to intoxication, including being denied boarding and removed from flights. In 2010 he was reportedly barred from United Airlines services following an altercation before a scheduled departure. The actor later sought treatment related to alcohol issues. Airlines involved emphasized crew discretion to refuse transport when safety or order could be compromised.

Azealia Banks

In September 2015, Azealia Banks was involved in a confrontation with a flight attendant on a Delta flight after a dispute in the aisle, during which offensive language was reported. In early 2019 she left an Aer Lingus flight in Dublin after a disagreement with staff before takeoff and posted statements about the experience. The airline confirmed she voluntarily deplaned and was rebooked. Both episodes drew attention to passenger-crew conflicts and airline authority on board.

Odell Beckham Jr.

In November 2022, Odell Beckham Jr. was removed from an American Airlines flight in Miami after crew said he appeared in and out of consciousness and refused to fasten his seatbelt for departure. Police boarded and escorted him off without arrest after the plane returned to the gate. His attorney disputed the characterization and said he had been sleeping. The airline and authorities cited standard safety protocols for the decision to deplane him.

Selma Blair

In June 2016, Selma Blair experienced a midair episode on a Delta flight returning from Mexico after mixing medication with alcohol. Crew and an onboard doctor assisted her, and the plane continued to its scheduled landing where she was met by medical personnel. Blair later apologized and explained the circumstances. No charges were filed, and she sought treatment after the incident.

Wes Scantlin

In 2012, Puddle of Mudd’s Wes Scantlin caused a disturbance on a commercial flight that led to an unscheduled landing in Austin, where he was arrested for public intoxication. Reports from the time cited confrontations with crew as the reason for diverting. He later faced additional travel-related incidents in subsequent years. The airline involved emphasized that diversions occur when behavior threatens order or safety.

Ralph Fiennes

In 2007, Ralph Fiennes drew headlines for an incident with a Qantas flight attendant on a long-haul flight that prompted a company review of staff conduct and passenger rules. The airline said its employee had breached procedures by entering a lavatory with a passenger and later faced disciplinary action. Authorities declined to pursue charges after investigation. The case sparked debate about professional boundaries and airline policy compliance.

Anthony Anderson

In 2016, Anthony Anderson was briefly removed from a Delta flight in Atlanta after a disagreement over seat arrangements that escalated during boarding. He addressed the incident publicly afterward and said he was placed on a later departure. Delta confirmed an altercation occurred that delayed the flight at the gate. The situation underscored how boarding-time disputes can trigger deplaning decisions by crew.

Dina Lohan

In 2013, Dina Lohan was reported to have caused a disturbance on a commercial flight that drew crew attention and led to police meeting the plane on arrival. She was questioned and released without arrest. Accounts at the time cited alcohol involvement during the flight. The episode added to a pattern of travel-related headlines that year.

Whitney Houston

In 2011, Whitney Houston was nearly removed from a Delta flight in Atlanta after refusing to fasten her seatbelt before takeoff. Crew said she eventually complied with assistance so the flight could depart. No arrest or diversion occurred, and the plane continued as scheduled. The incident was widely reported as a reminder that seatbelt rules apply to everyone on board.

Gerard Way

In 2011, Gerard Way was asked to deplane from a short-haul flight after a disagreement about carry-on handling that escalated at the gate. He was rebooked without further issue. Airline statements at the time emphasized crew authority to resolve baggage disputes that impede boarding. Way later referenced the inconvenience in fan communications.

Desiigner

In April 2023, rapper Desiigner was investigated for indecent exposure on an international Delta flight and was met by authorities after landing. He later issued a public statement addressing mental health and took responsibility for the behavior. In court filings he agreed to conditions that included community service. The case renewed scrutiny on how airlines and law enforcement handle in-flight misconduct with medical or psychological elements.

Andy Dick

In 2010, Andy Dick was detained after a flight following reports of inappropriate behavior toward passengers during the trip. Police questioned him upon arrival and released him while reviewing complaints. The incident joined a series of public conduct issues that surrounded his travel that year. Airlines reiterated that unruly behavior can lead to post-landing law-enforcement involvement even when a flight is not diverted.

Share your thoughts below on which of these incidents surprised you most and whether airline policies should be stricter when celebrities disrupt a flight.