A man who posed as a flight attendant for four different airlines scammed 120 free flights over the course of years, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida announced Tuesday.
Tiron Alexander, 35, was convicted on June 5 of entering the secure area of an airport under false pretenses and wire fraud. Federal prosecutors said that between 2018 and 2024, Alexander booked free flights only available to pilots and flight attendants on an airline carrier’s website. The application process required applicants to provide their employer, date of hire and badge number.
Alexander flew 34 times with that airline, claiming to be a flight attendant, falsifying employment with seven airlines, and submitting about 30 different badge numbers, prosecutors said in the press release. The Transportation Security Administration investigated the case.
“The evidence at trial also showed that Alexander posed as a flight attendant on three other airline carriers,” prosecutors said. “Ultimately, Alexander booked more than 120 free flights by falsely claiming to be a flight attendant.”
Alexander’s indictment from October stated he had worked for an airline headquartered in Dallas since November 2015, but was never a pilot or a flight attendant. Public defenders representing Alexander did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment.
The Transportation Security Administration said in a statement that it was pleased with the verdict. "While Alexander was able to board flights by fraudulently obtaining a boarding pass, he underwent all applicable TSA security procedures, including ID verification and physical screening, and did not pose a threat to other airline passengers," the TSA said. "TSA remains dedicated to the security of the flying public and will continue to support the prosecution of those who break air travel laws.”
According to the indictment, the maximum sentence for wire fraud is 20 years in prison, and 10 years for entering the secure airport areas under false pretenses. Both charges carry a maximum of three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
Alexander’s sentencing is set for Aug. 25.
