Airline security procedures are once again center stage after a woman managed to sneak on to a Delta Air Lines flight in Orlando last week.
What started as a normal Orlando (MCO)–Atlanta (ATL) flight quickly escalated when one passenger, upon arriving at her designated seat, discovered another passenger there. Jenni Clemmons, the ticketed passenger, found Sylvia Rictor in 15A, her seat for the flight according to ABC affiliate WFTV9.
According to reporting, Clemmons asked Rictor to move, telling her she was in the wrong seat. Rictor refused until flight attendants came on the scene. Flight officials asked Rictor to provide her boarding pass, which she was unable to do.
Rictor asserted she threw her boarding pass away as soon as she set foot on the plane. When asked to produce a piece of identification, Rictor pulled up a photo on her phone, insisting the photo was “just as good” as government-issued ID.
In all, the ordeal delayed the flight roughly three hours. According to WFTV9, it took about 45 minutes for police to arrive and remove Rictor from the plane. Then, the entire plane was screened before being allowed to take off.
Rictor did not have any ticket for any airline. She was screened on her way through security, but it is not clear how she made it all the way to an active boarding, airline and airport officials said. In a statement to a local reporter, Delta explained it is cooperating with law enforcement and conducting its own investigation into the incident.
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Sep 23, 20264 Ways to Spend a Weekend in Cleveland, Ohio
Whether an adventure seeker, culturally curious or a lover of all things music, Cleveland, Ohio, is the perfect weekend getaway for all types of personalities and travel styles.
Sponsored Content
The World Awaits with Turkish Airlines’ Global Access
Turkish Airlines enjoys the unique position as the airline flying to more countries than any other airline. Its unrivaled global reach is only the beginning of the experience that awaits passengers with Turkish Airlines.
Daily
Sep 23, 2026Delve into a Curated Journey for Mexico City Art Week with Trip Whisperer
During Mexico City Art Week 2027 (Semana del Arte), Trip Whisperer founder Jessica Parker will lead Mexico City Art Week Salon, a small-group expedition to explore the city’s fascinating art, design, culinary and luxury lodging offerings. For five nights, Feb. 2–7, 2027, participants will lodge with creatives and like-minded travelers in Casa Amsterdam, a private Mexico City villa located in the La Condesa neighborhood. After daytime forays to explore the festival’s events, this group will return to the villa to enjoy mezcal tastings, chef-prepared dinners and evening activities.
eFlyer Reviews
Sep 23, 2026Review: Sage Lodge Resort & Spa
Set on more than 1,200 acres in Montana’s Paradise Valley, Sage Lodge sits just 30 minutes from Yellowstone National Park, with the Yellowstone River running for more than a mile along the property.
Sponsored Content
Luxury Travel in Chilean Patagonia: Where Refinement Meets the Wild Edge
At the gateway to Chilean Patagonia, Los Lagos opens a landscape in constant motion. Volcanic peaks rise sharply above glacial lakes, mist moves through dense forests, and light shifts across every horizon. Here, luxury travel in Chilean Patagonia unfolds moment by moment, balancing raw energy with seamless comfort.
eFlyer Deals
Sep 23, 2026Save on Stays at Independent Collection Hotels & Resorts with Fall Sale
Dive into fall with Independent Collection’s exclusive sale across a wide range of resorts and hotels.
What’s in Store for Finnair in 2026/2027?
Daily
Sep 23, 2026Daily
Sep 22, 2026Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music Opens in Long Branch, New Jersey
Earlier this year, COOKFOX Architects announced the opening of Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music at Long Branch, New Jersey’s, Monmouth University. This new cultural landmark is dedicated to telling the story of music in this country while celebrating Bruce Springsteen’s work within that tradition. The 30,000-square-foot building houses exhibits about the music of Bruce Springsteen and of other American musical genres; the Springsteen archives; a 240-seat auditorium for concerts, academic lectures and video screenings; and gallery space for changing exhibits.
Sponsored Content
Get to Know TAP FORBIZ
Unlock flexible, refined business travel with TAP Air Portugal's program, TAP FORBIZ. Developed for small, medium and large Companies, with options for corporate events, TAP FORBIZ offers exclusive advantages adapted to each type of business. TAP FORBIZ offers solutions suited to each business: travel cost reduction, more flexibility, more benefits and more value. With TAP FORBIZ, businesses can centralize purchases, control the company budget and ensure greater cost predictability with exclusive discounts and benefits tailored to each company's profile. Each trip becomes a strategic decision to travel more and spend less.
Melt into Mediterranean Charm in Barcelona and Costa Brava
Usually regarded for its Modernist architecture, centuries of artistic influence and polarizing football team, Barcelona has come into its own as a growing tech hub. The capital of Catalonia hosts the annual Mobile World Congress each March, and its Poble Nou neighborhood cradles some of the world’s most recognizable startups like TravelPerk and Typeform.
ShareThis