The woman, who is a U.S. green card holder with a Russian passport, was discovered in a bathroom shortly before the flight landed in Paris and was subsequently taken into custody by police.

Experts have pointed out that incidents like this expose vulnerabilities in airport security, particularly during busy travel periods, highlighting the need for improved protocols.

This incident underscores the critical need for rigorous aviation security measures to protect passengers and maintain public trust in air travel.

On November 26, 2024, a stowaway managed to board Delta Flight 264 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, raising significant security concerns.

Upon arrival, she was denied entry to France due to a lack of valid travel documents, despite holding a valid U.S. residence permit.

Both French law enforcement and the TSA have launched separate investigations into the incident, which occurred during a peak travel time around Thanksgiving.

Witnesses noted increased communication among the flight crew during the incident, but many felt safe throughout the flight.

Questions remain regarding the woman's motives, with speculation about mental health issues or a desire to travel to France without purchasing a ticket.

As investigations unfold, she is expected to face charges for theft of service upon her return to the U.S.

Both Delta Airlines and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are investigating how the stowaway was able to board the flight undetected.

Technological advancements, such as biometric e-gates, could help prevent such breaches by verifying identities at the boarding process.

Former commercial pilot JP Tristani criticized the security breach, emphasizing that even standby passengers must go through a gate agent, indicating a significant failure in security protocols.