Woman makes fake bomb threat to delay missed flight
A Chicago woman is behind bars after allegedly claiming she had a bomb in her luggage in an attempt to delay her flight.
The woman, 46-year-old Marina Verbitsky, became aggressive towards JetBlue staff at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida when she realised she missed her flight on Monday.
Verbitsky was travelling to Chicago with her husband and son when staff said their flight – which already had their check-in luggage on board – had begun taxiing without them, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Court documents revealed that she yelled profanities at airline staff and told them she had a bomb in her luggage.
The flight was forced to head back to the gate and passengers were evacuated. A thorough search was conducted, but no explosives were found.
Verbitsky was immediately taken into custody, and was charged with one count of false reporting concerning planting bomb, explosive or weapon of mass destruction, CBS Chicago reported.
“It was a mistake,” a relative told the Chicago Sun-Times.
“She was nervous about the son needing to go to school. It was a mess, but it was definitely not meant to be.”
Verbitsky’s bail was set at $10,000 and she has been ordered to undergo mental health evaluation.
Travel Weekly has contacted JetBlue for comment
Featured image source: iStock/Tero Vesalainen
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
bomb scare check in luggage chicago florida JetBlue Marina VerbitskyLatest News
Emergency landing and fire at Sydney Airport
Thankfully nobody was hurt, however, a scary incident for all involved.
Stop everything!! The 2024 Women in Travel finalist list is HERE!
Be prepared to spit out your tea/coffee/Coke, because the Women in Travel shortlist is here!
Helloworld partners with Wendy Wu and China Southern Airlines for China famil
This looks like a great famil. If they ever need someone to carry bags we are free between 14th November 2024 and 2030.
Huge queues at international airports as Australian Border Forces system fails
We experienced huge queues at Sydney airport once, and that was with everything working.
Schoolies warned to curb alcohol assumption or lose out on travel insurance cover
Young people, drinking? Hold the press. Looks like insurers have found another way to get out of claims.
TAG announces leadership expansion to support global growth
Meanwhile, the editing on this photo is very X-Files. We like it. Spooky.
Review: Thai Airways Business class – Sydney to Istanbul: Is it worth the splurge?
Experiencing Thai Airways in pure comfort, onboard the Airbus A350-900 Sydney to Istanbul via Bangkok. Is it worth the splurge? Pre-Flight and Check-In Flying TG 472 Sydney – Bangkok at 15:50, you certainly miss all the chaos at Sydney airport, meaning a faster and more efficient check in process. As a Business Class passenger, you’re […]
ATAC Future Focus Conference opens at The Langham, Gold Coast
We assure you it was very hard to leave our plush room at The Langham to head to the conference.
Complex Travel Group partners with Luxury Travel Collection to launch Onboard Luxury
The upside to working with LTC is the gold frame, the downside is you have to live in black & white.
Fiji Airways celebrates third consecutive APEX Five Star Major Airline Award
Consecutive wins are nice but it puts the pressure on each year, we imagine...
Celestyal names Ascend Travel Group as Australian industry representatives
We're not sure if our photo edit in this article is too '90s pop band'. No more Canva for us.
Rydges Port Macquarie offers coastal comfort following hotel refurbishment
It is amazing how what was once considered modern will one day become dated. The same truth applies to our own faces.
Raes on Wategos announces the opening of Raes Guesthouses
Our diary is open for 2025 should you need us to come and inspect the premises for ourselves.
Travelmarvel launches new ship with Europe 2026 Preview
It must be super fun to come up with ship names. Way more fun than coming up with baby names. Hard to call a baby Rigel.
Infinity Holidays hosts exclusive Visit California VIP lunch in Sydney
This food looks fantastic. My egg cress sandwich is looking extra depressing now.
REVIEW: Crown Towers Melbourne
Who else is grateful that their days of staying at backpacker hostels are way in the past?
Nexus DMC opens new global HQ in Melbourne, thanks to US$50m funding
Setting up a global corporate HQ in Melbourne means a lot of coffee-tasting trial and error.
Emirates partners with Spotify for inflight entertainment
Personally, here at TW, we already spend our flights binge-listening to all of our favourite podcasts.
Kerala Tourism wraps up successful Australian Roadshow
India as a destination is so hot right now, both temperature side and metaphorically speaking.
Day two of Club Med’s home-based agent conference talks future proofing and digital success
Talking of keys, we hope our man in Club Med Bali for this conference, remembers where he put his.
A certain je ne sais quoi! – Back-Roads grows French tours by 35%
Dreaming of a trip to France, you aren't the only one!
What round two of Trump means for travellers to the US
As they say on departure, buckle up tight and low, as the second Trump administration may be a bumpy ride.
LATAM sponsors Chile Sentido Exhibition
Meeting Darwin's frog would be of particular interest. The kids live in dad's mouth - seriously.
Rail Europe expands offer with new BENELUX, Eastern Europe, and Denmark routes
With European governments encouraging rails over flights, then we thing this move will track well.
Jetstar brings back Kids Fly and Stay FREE Sale
In the interests of responsible parenting we will mention that an adult does need to accompany the kids!
Celestyal signs official MOU with Visit Qatar
The irony is that lucky agents selling slow travel will be watching the fastest sport on earth.
INTERVIEW: San Diego’s Benjamin Eastman on why Aussies are loving ‘California’s beach city’
You may not be thinking of a trip to the USA right this second, but when you do San Diego looks like a good bet.
Minor Hotels names industry veteran Omar Romero in new role as chief development and luxury officer
A lot of people don't like being called a veteran but personally we like it.
CAPA announces 2024 Environmental Sustainability Award winners
No locals in this list of airlines doing the right thing, perhaps we need to lift our game.
Albury’s luxury boutique hotel, CIRCA 1928, is up for grabs
Luxury boutique hotel business CIRCA 1928, in the heart of the Albury’s CBD, is up for grabs. CRE Brokers has been appointed as the Exclusive Agency for the leasehold sale of the hotel in a major regional growth centre of NSW. Set in the tree-lined Dean Street, surrounded by the retail, food and entertainment offerings, […]
Grafton Travel passes the baton of ownership to Louise Thompson
After 17 years running the show, it's time to put your feet up, hopefully on a cruise ship floating somewhere.
Regent announces opening of the Regent Santa Monica Beach
If you need someone to try out the swimming pool we volunteer as tribute!
CATO unites at World Travel Market London
This looks like a great event! Although a moment's thought for our jet-lagged friends.
ICC Sydney hosts Global Nature Positive Summit
The International Convention Centre Sydney, managed by ASM Global, hosted the world’s first Global Nature Positive Summit from 8 to 10 October. Around 1,000 delegates including international Ministers, environmental policy experts across government and corporate sectors, Indigenous People, and investors attended the landmark event. At the Summit, leaders explored effective ways to realise global commitments […]
Centennial Homestead welcomes The Paddock and Treehouse Rooftop Bar
Centennial Homestead, in Sydney’s Centennial Parklands, is stepping into a new era with its new The Paddock and Treehouse Rooftop Bar. Nestled with the stunning Parklands as a backdrop, the new spaces will be offering breakfast, lunch, weekend drinks with a view, or events. The Paddock seats more than 200 guests comfortably. With seamless integration […]
Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort offers the perfect weekend itinerary for a boys’ trip
We were sold by the pictures of the delicious-looking breadcrumbed meat. Yum!