Britney Spears is once again at the center of a shocking controversy that has everyone asking: Is she spiraling out of control… again?

Sources close to the situation claim that on Thursday, May 22, during a private jet flight from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, to Los Angeles International Airport, the pop icon caused a dramatic scene mid-air that left the flight crew “visibly shaken” and prompted a serious warning from airport authorities.

According to reports obtained by TMZ and confirmed by multiple insiders, Spears, 43, was traveling with her private security team aboard a JSX-operated aircraft when she allegedly lit a cigarette inside the cabin—despite repeated warnings not to. The moment she struck the lighter, cabin crew reportedly rushed to her side in panic, fearing a safety violation mid-flight that could risk everyone on board.

“She was obviously under the influence of something,” an insider who spoke under condition of anonymity revealed. “It was like she didn’t care about the rules or the danger. The crew was terrified because it’s a serious offense, even on a private flight.”

The cigarette was extinguished quickly, but not before several passengers claimed Spears took a few drags, ignoring flight protocols and appearing “belligerent.” One source described her as “difficult and confrontational,” while another said her own security team looked “embarrassed and helpless.”

A Confrontation at LAX

Upon landing at LAX, Spears was allegedly met by airport authorities and warned sternly about the implications of smoking aboard an aircraft. While no charges were filed, sources say the warning was “official and on record.”

A JSX spokesperson refused to comment, citing privacy concerns, but law enforcement sources confirmed that “a passenger matching Spears’ description was issued a verbal caution” and reminded of the federal regulations surrounding smoking on board—even for private flights.

Legal experts say while no arrest occurred this time, Britney may not be so lucky if a similar incident happens again. “If she’s ever caught violating FAA rules in the future, this incident could absolutely be used as evidence of a pattern of behavior,” aviation attorney Keith Landon told reporters.

Fans and Family Alarmed

Fans of the “Toxic” singer have taken to social media with concern, with some questioning whether Britney is receiving the help and guidance she needs in her post-conservatorship life. The hashtag #FreeBritneyAgain began trending late Thursday night, a chilling echo of the public outcry that helped end her 13-year conservatorship in 2021.

“She fought so hard to be free. But is she using her freedom to self-destruct?” one fan wrote on X.

Others pointed the finger at those closest to her. “Where are her people? Where is her team? If she’s really drinking and lighting cigarettes mid-air, something is VERY wrong,” another post read.

A Pattern of Public Concern

This latest drama comes after years of public scrutiny around Spears’ behavior, particularly after regaining her autonomy. Since the end of her conservatorship, Britney has posted a string of bizarre, barely-clothed videos on social media, been linked to heated altercations with boyfriends, and finalized her short-lived marriage to actor Sam Asghari in early 2024.

In fact, just last year, Spears was accused of engaging in a violent argument with former partner Paul Soliz that led to paramedics being called—though she later dismissed those claims as “fake news.”

But now, aviation authorities may be watching her more closely than ever.

“This wasn’t just a tabloid moment,” one official warned. “Smoking on a jet, regardless of who you are, is a potential federal issue. If this happens again, don’t be surprised if there are consequences far beyond a warning.”

What’s Next for Britney?

For now, Spears remains free, but questions are mounting about her safety, her state of mind, and whether those around her are enabling risky behavior.

No official statement has been released by Spears’ camp, and attempts to reach her team for comment have gone unanswered.

As the dust settles from this mid-air fiasco, one thing is clear: Britney Spears’ post-conservatorship era continues to raise eyebrows—and now, potentially, alarms in federal agencies.