Woman Smokes Cigarette on Plane, Punches Flight Attendant

Woman Smokes Cigarette on Plane, Punches Flight Attendant

Last Edited: Wednesday, 18 Jun 2008, 4:58 PM MDT

Created: Wednesday, 18 Jun 2008, 4:23 PM MDT

Denver International Airport DENVER - A plane was diverted to Denver International Airport after a passenger allegedly started smoking a cigarette, verbally attacked a flight attendant, and then punched her in the face on board a flight traveling from San Francisco to New York. 35-year-old Christina Szele of Woodside, New York could face up to 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines after being charged by Criminal Complaint for assault and interference with flight attendants. Szele, who is still in federal custody, was a passenger aboard the JetBlue Airways flight on June 17 when she allegedly started smoking a cigarette at her seat. After a flight attendant approached her and asked her to stop, Szele allegedly yelled racial obscenities at the attendant. Flight attendants then attempted to restrain Szele with flex cuffs which she later broke through. Szele then punched an attendant in the face before she was restrained for a second time. The pilot then decided to divert the flight to DIA where she was detained and questioned by Denver Police. Szele is scheduled for a detention hearing on June 23 at 10:30 a.m. in U.S. District Court.