NEWARK, N.J. — A repeat airline stowaway who previously infiltrated a transatlantic flight to Paris has once again evaded aviation security, boarding a United Airlines flight from Newark to Milan without detection, according to airline and law enforcement officials.
Svetlana Dali, a 58-year-old Russian national with U.S. residency, boarded United Airlines Flight 19 on Feb. 25 at Newark Liberty International Airport and traveled to Milan Malpensa Airport, where Italian police detained her upon arrival the next morning. The aircraft, a Boeing 777-200, departed Newark at approximately 5:50 p.m. ET and landed in Milan around 7:15 a.m. local time on Feb. 26 after a flight of just over seven hours.
The incident marks Dali’s second high-profile international stowaway case in under two years and has renewed questions about the effectiveness of airport screening and airline boarding controls.
United Airlines confirmed the breach and said it is working with authorities to determine how it occurred.
“Safety and security are our highest priorities. We are investigating this incident and working with the appropriate authorities.”
Law enforcement officials have not publicly disclosed how Dali managed to bypass security and gate procedures for the international flight.
Second Major Stowaway Incident Since 2024
Dali first gained national attention in November 2024, when she stowed away on Delta Air Lines Flight 264 from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
According to investigators, she cleared Transportation Security Administration screening without carrying prohibited items but avoided boarding pass verification by blending in behind a group of airline crew members.
Once inside the secure boarding area, she waited until gate agents were distracted assisting other passengers and slipped onto the aircraft unnoticed.
Because the flight was fully booked, Dali spent most of the journey hiding in airplane lavatories. Flight attendants became suspicious late in the flight and notified authorities, who detained her upon arrival in Paris.
Dali attempted to claim asylum in France, but officials denied her request. Delta Air Lines arranged her return to the United States, though the first repatriation attempt was aborted after she caused a disturbance before departure.
Conviction and Monitoring Violation
Following her return, Dali faced federal charges in the United States.
A court initially granted her bail under strict conditions, including electronic GPS monitoring. However, days later, she cut off her ankle monitor and fled her residence in Philadelphia, traveling by bus toward Canada.
Authorities apprehended her at the border and returned her to custody.
In July 2025, a federal jury in Brooklyn found Dali guilty of stowing away on an aircraft. She was sentenced to time served. Dali appealed the conviction, and that appeal remains pending.
Her latest unauthorized flight to Italy could complicate her legal situation further and potentially expose her to additional criminal charges.
Renewed Focus on Newark Airport Security
The most recent breach has intensified scrutiny of security procedures at Newark Liberty International Airport, one of the nation’s busiest international gateways.
A spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration acknowledged the agency is reviewing the case.
“TSA is aware, and the incident is under investigation.”
Security experts have long noted that while TSA screening focuses on preventing prohibited items from entering aircraft, airline gate procedures serve as a separate layer designed to ensure only ticketed passengers board flights.
Failures in those procedures, while rare, can expose vulnerabilities in aviation security systems.
Repatriation May Prove Difficult
Dali’s presence in Italian custody raises logistical and legal questions about her return to the United States.
In her previous case, her repatriation required coordination between airline officials and international authorities and was complicated by her behavior and asylum attempt.
It remains unclear how quickly she could be returned to U.S. jurisdiction following this latest incident.
Broader Implications for Airline Security
The case has renewed debate about aviation security effectiveness, particularly when a known repeat offender is able to board international flights undetected.
Airlines, airport authorities, and federal security officials are expected to review procedures to determine how the breach occurred and whether additional safeguards are necessary.
The incident underscores the continued challenge of maintaining strict passenger verification in high-volume international travel environments, even as airlines and regulators emphasize layered security designed to prevent unauthorized access.
