Stowaway on Delta Flight from Salt Lake City to Austin Pleads Guilty

Man Pleads Guilty for Stowing Away on Delta Flight from Salt Lake City to Austin

ATLANTA – A 27-year-old man has pleaded guilty to boarding a Delta Air Lines (DL) flight without a valid ticket, highlighting serious security breaches at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). The incident occurred when Wicliff Yves Fleurizard used a young girl’s boarding pass to bypass security measures, raising concerns over airport safety protocols.

Fleurizard was arrested in March 2024 after attempting to stow away on Delta Air Lines flight DL1683, destined for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). His method involved photographing a passenger’s mobile boarding pass to gain unauthorized entry onto the aircraft.

Photo by Tomás Del Coro from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Delta Salt Lake City to Austin Flight Stowaway Incident

Surveillance footage from Salt Lake City International Airport captured Fleurizard blending in with other passengers as he waited to board. Using his mobile phone discreetly, he was able to take pictures of boarding passes and ultimately secured a clear image of a young girl’s QR code. This maneuver allowed him to access the gate without being detected by airport staff.

Once onboard the Airbus A320, Fleurizard attempted to hide in a lavatory while other passengers settled into their seats. His plan was to emerge after boarding was complete and find an unoccupied seat. Unfortunately for him, the flight was fully booked, leaving no available seats.

• Key Points of the Incident:
  • Fleurizard attempted to find a seat but was unsuccessful.
  • A flight attendant observed his suspicious behavior and checked the passenger manifest.
  • It was discovered that he was not listed as a ticketed passenger.

Photo by Aero Icarus from Zürich, Switzerland

Motive and Legal Ramifications

During police questioning, Fleurizard claimed he was trying to return to Florida using non-revenue travel privileges from a friend employed at Southwest Airlines (WN). Due to fully booked flights, he devised the plan to board a Delta Air Lines flight to Austin, intending to continue his journey from there.

As part of a plea agreement, Fleurizard admitted to being a stowaway. Under federal law, this offense can lead to a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Photo by Andrew E. Cohen

Similar Incidents Raise Security Concerns

In a related incident in November 2023, another stowaway successfully boarded a Delta Air Lines flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). This woman remained in the lavatory for most of the flight and was only discovered when flight attendants grew suspicious.

In response to these incidents, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has initiated an internal review to understand how unauthorized individuals can bypass boarding pass verification. While TSA confirmed that security screenings were completed, the agency recognized the urgent need for stricter boarding procedures to prevent future breaches.

For more insights on aviation security and similar incidents, consider reading our articles on airport safety measures and recent stowaway cases.

What are your thoughts on airport security? Share your opinions in the comments and stay tuned for more updates on aviation news and safety!