Convicted Stowaway Arrested Again After Alleged Ticketless Flight to Italy

Svetlana Dali, who was previously convicted for stowing away on a flight to Paris, was taken into custody at Milan's Malpensa Airport.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Svetlana Dali, a woman on probation for stowing away on an international flight in 2024, has been arrested again after allegedly sneaking onto a flight from Newark, New Jersey to Milan, Italy. Dali was previously convicted in 2024 for flying to Paris without a passport or ticket and was still on supervised release when this latest incident occurred.

Why it matters

Dali's repeated attempts to stow away on flights raise concerns about airport security and the challenges of monitoring individuals with a history of such behavior, especially those on probation. Her actions also put passengers and crew at potential risk, highlighting the need for stronger measures to prevent such incidents.

The details

According to a law enforcement official, Dali was taken into custody on Thursday at Milan's Malpensa Airport. The FBI, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Transportation Security Administration are investigating the incident. Dali's federal defender, Michael K. Schneider, declined to comment on the case, stating that his office is handling Dali's appeal of the prior charges.

  • Dali was convicted in May 2025 for slipping past security and airline gate agents at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and sneaking onto a flight to Paris.
  • In July 2025, Dali was sentenced to time served and placed on one year of supervised release.
  • On February 26, 2026, Dali was arrested at Milan's Malpensa Airport after allegedly sneaking onto a flight from Newark, New Jersey to Milan, Italy.

The players

Svetlana Dali

A Russian citizen with US residency who has been convicted twice for stowing away on international flights.

Michael K. Schneider

Dali's federal defender who is handling her appeal of the prior charges.

FBI

The federal law enforcement agency that is investigating the latest incident.

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

The agency that operates Newark Liberty International Airport and is working with the FBI and TSA on the investigation.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

The federal agency responsible for airport security that is also involved in the investigation.

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What they’re saying

“I can't comment on what she's done since her release. My office is handling the appeal, which is still pending.”

— Michael K. Schneider, Dali's federal defender (Associated Press)

What’s next

The judge overseeing Dali's probation will likely determine if she violated the terms of her supervised release and whether she should be held in custody pending the resolution of her appeal.

The takeaway

Dali's repeated attempts to stow away on flights highlight the need for stronger security measures and better monitoring of individuals with a history of such behavior, especially those on probation, to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.