Los Angeles, CA — A disturbing new chapter has unfolded in the saga of Britney Spears, and this one took place 30,000 feet in the air. Sources close to the situation say the pop icon allegedly caused a scene aboard a private JSX jet en route from Cabo San Lucas to LAX — a scene involving alcohol, erratic behavior, and, shockingly, a lit cigarette in the cabin.

According to multiple insiders, the flight on Thursday, May 22, began without incident. Spears was accompanied by members of her private security team and a personal assistant. But somewhere midair, the mood shifted. Passengers seated near Spears allegedly noticed her acting “unsteady and emotional,” with one describing her as “clearly intoxicated and not in control.”

That’s when, according to a source who spoke to TMZ, Britney pulled out a cigarette and lighter, casually sparked up, and began smoking inside the cabin — despite federal aviation rules explicitly prohibiting smoking on board any commercial or private aircraft.

Flight attendants rushed to intervene. “They couldn’t believe what they were seeing,” one source said. “She lit up like she was in a hotel room. Totally oblivious. When she was asked to put it out, she just laughed and mumbled something about being ‘free now.’”

The attendants reportedly managed to calm Spears down enough to get the cigarette extinguished — but not without tension. “She was difficult,” another source revealed. “She kept mumbling, slurring her words, and ignoring basic instructions. Her team looked embarrassed. They were whispering among themselves, visibly panicked.”

Once the plane touched down at Los Angeles International Airport, airport authorities were allegedly waiting on the tarmac. While no formal charges were filed, officials reportedly issued Spears a verbal warning and documented the incident.

“This wasn’t something they could ignore,” said an aviation consultant with knowledge of the airline’s standard procedures. “Smoking on a plane, intoxicated behavior — these are red flags, especially after the incidents we’ve seen with other celebrities. FAA eyes are watching.”

A spokesperson for JSX declined to comment when contacted by reporters, citing “client confidentiality.” Spears’ representatives have also remained silent — adding fuel to the swirling speculation that her team may be scrambling to contain the fallout.

The alleged incident comes at a time when Spears’ personal life has already been under a microscope. Since the termination of her 13-year conservatorship in 2021, Britney has been praised for reclaiming her freedom — but critics argue that unpredictable social media posts, bizarre public appearances, and erratic relationships have raised serious concerns about her well-being.

The singer’s turbulent divorce from actor Sam Asghari, finalized just months ago, marked a public low point. The two were married for only 14 months before calling it quits amid rumors of explosive arguments and possible infidelity. And just last year, Spears denied reports that paramedics were called after a blowout with her rumored boyfriend, Paul Soliz, claiming “the news is fake.”

But this latest in-flight ordeal could signal a new level of risk — not just for Spears, but for the people around her.

Experts warn that if federal authorities decide to investigate, Spears could face fines or be banned from certain private carriers. “This isn’t just about Britney being Britney,” says one retired FAA agent. “It’s about basic air safety. If these claims are true, she’s lucky the plane wasn’t diverted or that more serious actions weren’t taken.”

The timing is also conspicuous. Spears has been teasing a return to music on Instagram, hinting at unreleased tracks and even a potential memoir sequel. But fans are now left wondering whether the comeback can truly happen if Britney can’t stay grounded — literally.

So far, no official footage from the flight has surfaced, though insiders claim that bodycams from the LAX response team may have captured her demeanor upon landing. Whether that footage ever sees the light of day remains uncertain, but one thing is clear:

The sky-high drama involving Britney Spears is far from over.

As authorities continue to quietly ask questions behind the scenes, the public is once again left to ask their own:

Is Britney okay? And if not — who, if anyone, is going to step in before something even worse happens?