Britney Spears learned the hard way that you should always follow all the rules on a commercial airplane, including never—ever—lighting up a cigarette.
On May 22, Spears was caught smoking mid-flight on her way back from Cabo San Lucas while reportedly onboard a JSX flight, a public charter airline. According to People, the act “alarmed” flight attendants, who promptly instructed the pop star to put the cigarette out, which she did.
However, the crew still contacted authorities, who spoke to Spears when the flight landed at Los Angeles International Airport. “This is not her first warning,” a source shared with People. “She doesn’t exactly follow the rules.”
Spears also posted about the incident on her Instagram account, sharing a video of herself on the flight, along with a caption that reads, “Me yesterday !!! It’s actually incredibly funny!!!”
“Some planes I’ve been on you can’t smoke mostly but this one was different because the drink holders were on [the] outside of [the] seat!!! Confession it was my first time drinking VODKA!!! I swear I felt so SMART!!! I was like wow what the heck is in there !!! I felt so clear and smart !!! And said I want a cigarette so bad!!!”
She then explained that a “friend” placed one in her mouth and lit it, leading her to assume she could smoke on the plane. She went on to apologize to anyone she “offended” on the flight, noting that she believed she was being met by authorities as a show of “support.”
“The flight attendant called officials because I smoked a cigarette !!! And embarrass me, which jeez I thought was kinda much, but she didn’t like me the moment I got on [the] plane,” Spears added.
The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) banned smoking on domestic flights that were less than two hours in 1988 and two years later, banned smoking on flights under six hours, which covered most flights across the nation. However, it took until the year 2000 for smoking to be banned on all flights to and from the U.S., according to Business Insider, when then-President Clinton signed the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century. And in 2016, the U.S. updated its rules to include banning the use of e-cigarettes, too.
And really, it’s not worth pushing the limits like Spears. As USA Today noted, FAA regulations state that they can give a maximum fine of $25,000 for smoking on planes and “distracting crews.”
The ban isn’t just for crew and passenger comfort, either. Lion Air explains on its website, “Smoking on board can pose a serious fire risk. Dry air conditions in the aircraft cabin can also make fuel more flammable. In an emergency, controlling and extinguishing fires on board can be extremely difficult and potentially compromise the safety of all passengers and cabin crew.” It added, “Secondhand smoke can disturb other non-smoking passengers, due to the unpleasant smell of cigarettes, and can cause irritation to the nose, eyes, and throat. Restricting smoking on board ensures that all passengers can enjoy their journey comfortably.”
