{"id":95782,"date":"2025-05-22T01:12:43","date_gmt":"2025-05-21T19:42:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=95782"},"modified":"2025-05-30T22:18:48","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T16:48:48","slug":"man-sneaks-on-delta-flight-using-childs-boarding-pass","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/22\/man-sneaks-on-delta-flight-using-childs-boarding-pass\/","title":{"rendered":"Delta Stowaway Passenger Who Steal Child\u2019s Boarding Pass for Flight Released"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ATLANTA-<\/strong> A Texas man has been released from custody after admitting to sneaking aboard a Delta Air Lines (DL)<\/a> flight at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) using a stolen child\u2019s boarding pass. The Flight DL1683 was bound for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wicliff Yves Fleurizard, 27, of Leander, Texas, pleaded guilty to federal charges after his March 2024 attempt to return home to Florida without a valid ticket. He used a photo of a boarding pass belonging to a young passenger to bypass Delta’s gate security and board the plane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
Photo: By MarcelX42 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=127237262<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Delta Flight Stowaway Released<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fleurizard had tried repeatedly to travel using a buddy pass from a friend employed at Southwest Airlines (WN)<\/a>, a standby privilege that only works when spare seats are available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After several failed attempts due to full flights, he made a risky decision, sneaking onto a Delta flight at SLC using deceptive tactics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to court records, surveillance footage showed Fleurizard loitering near passengers boarding Delta flight DL1683 to Austin, using his phone to secretly photograph boarding passes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to PYOK<\/a>, he eventually snapped a pass belonging to a young girl and entered the queue ahead of her. The image allowed him to pass the gate agents undetected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once on board, Fleurizard immediately went into the front lavatory to hide during final boarding. He planned to wait until all passengers were seated and then claim an unassigned seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the flight was fully booked. After exiting the lavatory and walking through the cabin in search of a vacant seat, he locked himself in a rear lavatory, raising suspicion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A flight attendant eventually noticed inconsistencies and confronted him. Upon discovering that his name wasn\u2019t on the manifest, the crew alerted the pilots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aircraft, already taxiing, was forced to return to the gate, where local police removed Fleurizard from the plane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Delta
Photo: Salt Lake City International Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legal Outcome<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fleurizard faced a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000<\/strong> fine for his actions, which prosecutors said posed a significant risk to passenger safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, as part of a plea deal, US District Court Judge David Barlow sentenced him to time served, six months of imprisonment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fleurizard was also ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution and will be under three years of supervised release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMr. Fleurizard\u2019s actions were not only disruptive to passengers, it also compromised the safety and security for all on board\u201d <\/p>Special Agent Mehtab Syed, FBI Salt Lake City<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd echoed this concern, emphasizing the need for constant vigilance and stronger aviation security measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Delta
Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rise in Stowaway Incidents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fleurizard\u2019s case is the latest in a disturbing series of stowaway<\/a> attempts, underlining growing concerns over airport and airline security breaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Date<\/strong><\/th>Location \/ Airline<\/strong><\/th>Incident Summary<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Feb 2025<\/td>Vienna (VIE) \/ Hainan Airlines (HU)<\/td>Two deceased stowaways were found in the aircraft wheel well from New York.<\/td><\/tr>
Jan 2025<\/td>Fort Lauderdale (FLL) \/ JetBlue (B6)<\/td>Afghan man evaded checks and boarded a flight to China; discovered mid-air.<\/td><\/tr>
Dec 2024<\/td>Seattle (SEA) \/ Delta Air Lines (DL)<\/td>Attempted stowaway foiled before Christmas Eve flight to Honolulu.<\/td><\/tr>
Dec 2024<\/td>Chicago (ORD) \u2013 Kahului (OGG) \/ United (UA)<\/td>The body of a deceased stowaway was discovered in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner wheel well.<\/td><\/tr>
Nov 2024<\/td>New York JFK (JFK) \/ Delta Air Lines (DL)<\/td>Stowaway on Paris-bound flight discovered mid-transatlantic.<\/td><\/tr>
Aug 2024<\/td>Washington Dulles (IAD) \/ Delta Air Lines (DL)<\/td>Two deceased stowaways were found in the aircraft’s wheel well from New York.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Security lapses that enable such intrusions are under increasing scrutiny by both government regulators and airlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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TSA Agent; Photo- Michael Ball\nWIkimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Airport Security Measures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Fleurizard case prompted Delta Air Lines (DL) and the TSA<\/a> to reassess their protocols. Delta issued a statement affirming cooperation with law enforcement and a commitment to safety, noting that their security infrastructure is sound but requires adherence to standard procedures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airline is reviewing gate agent training to ensure rigorous boarding pass checks.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salt Lake City Police and the FBI<\/a> emphasized the need for continuous improvement in aviation security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chief Redd advocated for regular updates to security measures, while the TSA\u2019s review focuses on integrating advanced technologies to prevent unauthorized boarding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The incident also raised questions about the risks of buddy passes, which rely on standby availability and can lead to desperate actions when flights are full.<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Delta Air Lines<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wicliff Yves Fleurizard\u2019s unauthorized boarding of a Delta Air Lines (DL) flight at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)<\/a> exposed critical vulnerabilities in aviation security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

His use of a stolen child\u2019s boarding pass and subsequent sentencing to time served underscore the need for robust verification processes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As airlines and the TSA work to address these gaps, incidents like this serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenge to balance efficiency and safety in air travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Featured Image by Cl\u00e9ment Alloing | Flickr<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Delta Passengers Held Hostage By Singing Little Girl Amid 4-Hours Flight Delay<\/a><\/blockquote>