PHILADELPHIA— A man has been fined nearly $60,000 for bypassing security at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and illegally boarding an American Airlines (AA) flight without being screened.
The offender, Jonathan Beaulieu, boarded the aircraft without Transportation Security Administration (TSA) clearance, triggering a major security breach that forced American Airlines (AA) to cancel the flight and absorb significant losses.
Photo: JFK SpottingAmerican Airlines Passenger Fined
According to court filings, the incident occurred just after midnight on June 26, 2024, at Terminal C of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
Jonathan Beaulieu, a 32-year-old resident of Philadelphia, attempted to re-enter the secure airside area by claiming he had left his cellphone behind.
When denied re-entry, he tried to bribe the security guard with a $50 bill and forced his way past her, bypassing TSA screening.
Surveillance footage later confirmed that Beaulieu had boarded an American Airlines aircraft. By the time authorities reached the gate, the aircraft door had already been closed, and the flight was preparing for departure.
The unauthorized access forced American Airlines to cancel the flight and conduct a complete security sweep, costing the carrier $59,143 in direct losses, PYOK reported.
Beaulieu was apprehended shortly after the security breach and was charged with entering a secured airport area in violation of federal regulations. In a plea deal earlier this year, he admitted guilt.
On July 1, 2025, U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Hey sentenced Beaulieu to pay $59,143 in restitution to American Airlines (AA) and placed him on probation for one year. No jail time was imposed, but the court emphasized the seriousness of his actions and their broader implications for airport safety.
Photo: James Cridland | FlickrBreach Highlights System Vulnerabilities
The case has raised concerns about how easily airport security measures can be compromised through deception and minor physical breaches.
While PHL Airport security eventually located the intruder using surveillance, the fact that he successfully boarded an aircraft unscreened underscores the need for enhanced personnel training and stricter access control protocols.
Airport officials have not confirmed whether any internal disciplinary actions were taken against security staff involved in the incident. However, the court’s decision aims to serve as a deterrent against similar violations in the future.
Photo: PexelsSimilar Incident
A 27-year-old man has pleaded guilty to illegally boarding a Delta Air Lines (DL) flight at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) without a valid ticket. The incident involved bypassing security using a mobile boarding pass belonging to another passenger.
The unauthorized boarding occurred on Delta flight DL1683 bound for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). The man, Wicliff Yves Fleurizard, used a photo of a young girl’s QR code to gain access to the aircraft.
Fleurizard was arrested in March 2024 following his attempt to fly undetected as a stowaway. Surveillance footage at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) revealed that he mingled with legitimate passengers and discreetly took photos of their mobile boarding passes. He ultimately used the QR code of a young girl to pass through the gate undetected.
Once onboard the Airbus A320 operating Delta Air Lines flight DL1683, he hid inside a rear lavatory while boarding was underway. His intent was to emerge after takeoff and occupy any empty seat. However, the flight to Austin (AUS) was fully booked, leaving him without a seat.
Unusual Behavior Triggers Crew’s Suspicion
Flight attendants noticed Fleurizard’s repeated movements between the lavatory and the cabin. His actions prompted one crew member to verify the passenger manifest using a mobile device. When his name was not found on the list of ticketed passengers, airline staff confronted him.
During questioning, Fleurizard claimed he was trying to return to Florida. He was reportedly attempting to use non-revenue (non-rev) flight privileges extended to him by a friend employed at Southwest Airlines (WN).
After failing to secure a seat on overbooked flights, he decided to board the Delta (DL) flight in hopes of continuing his journey from Austin (AUS).
As part of a plea agreement, Fleurizard admitted to knowingly boarding an aircraft without authorization. Under U.S. federal law, being a stowaway on a commercial aircraft is a serious offense. He now faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
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Delta Stowaway Passenger Who Steal Child’s Boarding Pass for Flight Released
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