Pop icon Britney Spears has addressed a recent incident that sparked headlines after she lit a cigarette during a private charter flight from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, to Los Angeles on May 22.
The 43-year-old singer took to Instagram to share her side of the story, calling the situation “incredibly funny” while apologizing to anyone she may have offended.
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According to multiple sources, Spears was traveling with her security team on a JSX charter flight when she began drinking vodka—her first time trying the spirit, she claimed. Feeling “clear and smart,” she expressed a desire to smoke, and a friend placed a cigarette in her mouth and lit it.
“I was like, ‘OH SO THIS IS A PLANE WHERE YOU CAN SMOKE!!!’” Spears wrote in her May 23 Instagram post, explaining she thought the plane’s unique drink holder placement meant smoking was allowed.
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Smoking on any aircraft, however, violates federal aviation regulations, and flight attendants promptly asked her to extinguish the cigarette, which she did.
The incident escalated when authorities were notified mid-flight and met Spears upon landing at Los Angeles International Airport, issuing her a warning for her conduct.
Spears, who initially thought officials were greeting her “as support,” expressed surprise, joking, “Am I famous or something???” She also voiced frustration with a flight attendant, claiming they tried to “embarrass” her and enforced strict rules, like insisting she remain seated before takeoff despite the plane being empty.
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“I do so apologize to anyone I offended, but the flight attendants always make sure I’m way at the back of the plane anyways,” Spears added in her post, accompanied by a video of herself on the flight. Sources say this isn’t the first time Spears has received such a warning, noting she “doesn’t exactly follow the rules.”
Since her 13-year conservatorship ended in 2021, Spears has been active on social media, often sharing dance videos and candid moments.
The incident has sparked mixed reactions online, with some fans finding humor in her lighthearted response, while others expressed concern over her behavior, citing safety regulations. JSX, the charter airline, declined to comment on the incident.
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Spears is currently preparing for a biopic based on her memoir, The Woman in Me, directed by Jon M. Chu, though she recently hinted it might be a “fictional musical” instead. As the controversy settles, fans are left wondering if this will inspire another chapter in her colorful story.
