Britney Spears causes panic after lighting cigarette mid-flight forcing authorities to intervene

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Britney Spears is back in the headlines after reportedly smoking a cigarette onboard a private jet, causing alarm among the crew and prompting a warning from authorities upon landing.

The 43-year-old singer, who has remained a polarizing figure since the end of her conservatorship in 2021, was flying from Cabo San Lucas to Los Angeles on Thursday, May 22, when the incident unfolded.

Britney Spears sparks controversy after lighting a cigarette mid-flight 

According to TMZ, Britney Spears began drinking mid-flight before lighting up a cigarette, a direct violation of aviation rules, even on private jets.

Flight attendants were said to be “alarmed” and instructed her to extinguish the cigarette, which she did without resistance. However, her behavior was reportedly “difficult” for the duration of the flight. Upon arrival at LAX, she was met by authorities and “warned about her conduct” before being released.

JSX, the private airline that operated the flight, declined to comment on the specifics of the incident. A spokesperson told Daily Mail, “We have no comment regarding the alleged events described.”

While LAX police did not intervene directly, sources say it was likely Customs officials who addressed Spears' conduct.

A source exclusively told PEOPLE, “This is not her first warning. She doesn’t exactly follow the rules.”

Britney Spears says flight attendant tried to 'embarrass' her

The 43-year-old pop legend took to Instagram to share a clip from the private aircraft and wrote in the caption about a troubling interaction with a flight attendant, claiming the woman embarrassed her by calling officials over a cigarette incident and behaving in a way Spears described as “weird” and invasive.

“The flight attendant called officials because I smoked a cigarette!!!” Spears wrote. “And embarrass me which jeez I thought was kinda much but she didn’t like me the moment I got on plane!!!”

In her post, Spears said she was one of the first people on board and wanted to stand up during the first 20 minutes, but the attendant allegedly refused to let her leave her seat. She also expressed discomfort over how the woman handled her seatbelt.

“She acted so weird about making sure I sat down and it was weird !!! I didn’t like the way she put the seatbelt on me and invaded my space !!!” the 'Gimme More' singer added.

Britney Spears’ history with fire

This isn’t the first time the 'Toxic' singer has sparked safety concerns in the air. In December 2024, Spears was photographed carrying a large grill lighter onto another private flight during a birthday getaway.

The item, which is not typically allowed onboard under TSA guidelines, raised eyebrows, especially considering her history with fire-related mishaps.

Fans may recall that in 2020, Spears accidentally burned down her home gym due to unattended candles. Earlier in 2024, she revealed she had burned off her eyebrows and eyelashes after a failed attempt to ignite her bedroom fireplace.

Britney Spears spent 13 years under a conservatorship, which was put in place amid mental health struggles and a string of public incidents in the early 2000s. During that time, her father, Jamie Spears, controlled her estate and personal decisions.

In November 2021, Britney finally won her legal battle to end the conservatorship, regaining control over her life and finances.

Britney Spears sparks online frenzy after in-flight smoking and drinking allegations

Reports that pop icon Britney Spears was seen drinking alcohol and lighting a cigarette mid-flight have ignited a storm of concern, criticism, and reflection across the internet.

The alleged behavior has revived ongoing conversations about Spears’ mental health, personal freedom, and the lasting impact of her years under conservatorship.

Many users expressed sadness and worry with one user writing, “The older she gets the more challenging her mental health will get. So sad,” while the other user wrote, “I love her, but with all the things happening to planes right now, everyone including flight attendants are a little nervous right now- I would have asked her to pit out her cig too.”

Another added, “Poor thing. She’s such a mess.”

“Britney has been controlled her whole career so for her to have a breakdown like she did is understandable,” one commenter wrote.

However, others voiced frustration over what they see as a pattern of reckless behavior. “She is an absolute mess. Yes, mental health related. But taking no personal responsibility,” one user said.

Another asked, “Where are the free Britney people? Where?”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.