It’s really unfortunate to see Britney Spears’ continued mental health struggles, even as she has been freed from her conservatorship.
In this post:
Britney Spears causes commotion on JSX flight to LAX
On Thursday, May 22, 2025, Britney Spears flew on JSX from Cabo San Lucas (SJD) to Los Angeles (LAX). For those not familiar, JSX is a public charter airline, essentially operating comfortably configured regional jets with just 30 seats. People often refer to the airline as being semi-private, but that’s a bit of an oxymoron, if you ask me.
During the flight, Spears apparently drank a large amount of vodka and then tried to smoke a cigarette, and that’s before the plane even took off. This information wasn’t just leaked online, but she actually directly posted about it on her Instagram, where she now goes by the name XILA MARIA RIVER RED. Here’s what she wrote (which… oh my gosh):
Me yesterday !!! It’s actually incredibly funny !!! Some planes I’ve been on you can’t smoke mostly but this one was different because the drink holders were on outside of seat !!! Confession it was my first time drinking VODKA!!! I swear I felt so SMART !!! I was like wow what the heck is in there !!! I felt so clear and smart !!! And said I want a cigarette so bad !!! My friend put it in my mouth and lit it up for me so I was like OH SO THIS IS A PLANE WHERE YOU CAN SMOKE !!! I do so apologize to anyone I offended but the flight attendants always make sure I’m way at the back of plane anyways !!! I thought officials greeted me as support and I was like WOW I feel special !!! I’ve never been to an international airport !!! Am I famous or something ??? The flight attendant called officials because I smoked a cigarette !!! And embarrass me which jeez I thought was kinda much but she didn’t like me the moment I got on plane !!! Nobody was on the plane for first 20 minutes and she wouldn’t let me get out of my seat I wanted to stand up !!! She acted so weird about making sure I sat down and it was weird !!! I didn’t like the way she put the seatbelt on me and invaded my space !!! Oh well you guys like my flower choker ??? B tiny is coming soon and thats something we have added !!! It’s honestly adorable !!!
As you can see, she claimed she drank vodka for the first time in her life, and it made her feel “clear and smart.” She said she wanted a cigarette so badly, so then her friend put a cigarette in her mouth and lit it for her, making her think this was a plane where she was allowed to smoke.
The flight attendant ended up calling authorities, and customs reportedly met the flight upon arrival, though she was let off with a warning. Spears complains she didn’t like the way the flight attendant put the seatbelt on her and invaded her space.
This whole situation is just plain sad
I don’t typically like to post airport or airplane stories where it’s clear people are having mental episodes, especially when it’s people who don’t otherwise have a public persona. Sadly in the case of Spears, it’s just so sad to see how far she has fallen.
I think many of us have probably seen the series about her conservatorship battle, where you can’t help but be on her side. Now she has finally been freed of her conservatorship, though sadly she seems to be struggling just as much.
I hope she gets the help she needs. I think it’s also an important reminder that we all need to be grateful for every day where we just wake up (relatively) in control of our lives. All too often we idolize fame and wealth, without considering the downsides of that. Spears is hardly alone in being in such a situation…
Bottom line
Britney Spears caused some issues on a JSX flight from Cabo to Los Angeles, as she downed vodka and then lit a cigarette, thinking it was okay. She got off with just a warning, which is probably a better outcome than most passengers would’ve had.
I really hope Spears gets the help she needs, because this isn’t a good situation…
I'm sure someone would have a good time with her...
It's relevant. There were a million articles on FREE BRITTNEY. Now that's she's free, where are the supporters? Gone. There's a reason the dad had a conservatorship.... clearly evident now.
The sad fact is that her own family exploited her in the conservatorship, and she doesn’t appear to have anyone close to her who can/will do what’s best for her.
Hi Ben
I belong to the your-blog-your-rules camp and never criticised you for posts, even those I find ummm not entirely relevant. Your titles always convey what it’s about, and I can decide what I do or don’t care about.
This is one occasion where I made an exception. This story was better left out. Britney is struggling wit some serious demons, and you publishing the story contributes to the struggle becoming public.
Hi Ben
I belong to the your-blog-your-rules camp and never criticised you for posts, even those I find ummm not entirely relevant. Your titles always convey what it’s about, and I can decide what I do or don’t care about.
This is one occasion where I made an exception. This story was better left out. Britney is struggling wit some serious demons, and you publishing the story contributes to the struggle becoming public.
Most of us with her nothing but happiness but know this may not have a happy end. Now is a good time to exercise compassion.
It’s not like Ben’s post was some tasteless TMZ article trashing her. And I think it’s hard to say what the compassionate thing to do is. Avert your gaze and ignore behavior that is a cry for help? But none of us is really in a position to actually help her, either…
I feel for her…substances are a dear but painful and destructive friend :-(
Since JSX is a scheduled charter operator and not a FAR121 air carrier is it really illegal to smoke on their flights?
The woman is dealing with mental health, and Ben, you feel the need to post this story.
Ben reported on this story of public interest, about a public figure, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, keeping with Ben’s unfailingly polite, thoughtful, and considerate nature as a human being.
Meanwhile, you’ve posted a passive aggressive comment, clearly implying you have some superior virtue than the man whose blog you are reading for free. What does that make you, other than an asshole?
Ben, please ignore the censorship police. “You shouldn’t post because (Insert divine ancient wisdom.)” These are the exact same people who wanted alternative COVID therapies to be censored. Therapies, which now are proven to work, as opposed to the vaccine which left me with an injury. Yes, confirmed by my cardiologist.
Ben's take on the issue was incredibly level-headed.
Agree with the comments about click bait and about the types of articles that are now posted on this website....
Disagree. The types of articles on this website are dictated by data analysis of what readers want. “Readers” are not a monolith. Some are seasoned travelers while others need hand holding. It’s remarkable how the author of this website caters to them all and always, unfailingly, in a polite manner.
Arps, please learn from Ben’s example, try being “Always, unfailingly, in a polite manner” with your own posts, yes?
Click bait is by definition something where the teaser and the contents don't match (you're being baited to click). If they match, and you clicked, then you got the expected result. (and it's not clickbait).
Also... why did you click when you weren't interested? Hmmmmmm??
It’s possible her frame of reference is private planes where she can smoke. Who knows. I agree on the double standard for women. Men behave badly ALL THE TIME and wouldn’t get an article on it like this.
Men don’t get an article for the same reason shootings in south Chicago don’t make the news. We all know the prevalence and nothing can be done except elevate positive male role models, such as the author of this blog and his husband.
I feel so sad for her. She has been having struggles for some time now.
We all love you Britney!
Good press or bad. We just want good press for you gal. You are just as cute as ever. Keep it in balance girl. We don’t want a miss you like we all miss Anna Nicole in Louisiana and East Texas.
The most disappointing part of this is that Ben has been choosing lately to write about trash instead of the points and miles material that he's so good at. It seems like Frequent Miler is the only blog left that still has some journalistic integrity.
I agree.
I agree. This is turning into a Gary Leff blog which is unfortunate. I understand their need for content on a weekend, but this isnt it.
Then don’t click on and reply to these posts. Ben has to make a living, and these types of posts pay the bills because readers like you (and me) click on them more often. Right now, you’re like a dude eating a Big Mac at McDonald’s and complaining that they only serve crap.
Yet here you are. If this is clickbait, you just fell into the trap like a rat. How about next time if you don’t like a headline, here’s a simple solution, ready? Keep scrolling. You don’t have to read EVERY article.
If Keith Richard’s did this, he is just being a rockstar.
If Britney Spears does it, she needs help.
The double standards.
Any reports of his having done so within the last 20 years?
While true that it's a double standard, it's also true that they both need help.
Keith Richards is what, 147 years old at this point? Times have changed, my friend. Nobody is impressed by "rock star" behaviour anymore. In the case of Ms Spears there appears complex underlying issues that need professional attention, and at least one friend who isn't looking out for her like a friend should.
It is "sad" when a celebrity or rich person does it but becomes pathetic if it is a regular joe
Equally sad: CLICK BAIT
Easy solution: Don’t click. More importantly, don’t comment. You did both! Do you not even see the irony? But you just had to give your 2 cents because you are clearly “a good person.”
Semi-private is my second favorite oxymoron. Mostly-peaceful is still the winner.
Us gays love the opportunity of a Britney / travel crossover story.
But as you said this woman has been through a lot and she needs support (not conservatorship) to keep her healthy.
Let’s not sensationalize one’s struggles, especially of a person who has suffered so much by the media
Something deep inside me wants me to believe that this is a publicity stunt for new music.
Look at what she's wearing. Then the bottle she's holding is more of a wine than a vodka bottle.
I truly truly hope that this is a publicity stunt. I do not want to think of anything else.
"Thoughts and prayers"
Average brit on Easyjet flight to Spain type of behavior
"I think many of us have probably seen the series about her conservatorship battle, where you can’t help but be on her side."
No Ben. She needs a conservatorship. Maybe just not the one she had. She needs help. Those that understand mental illness were not on her side to just release her without any guardrails.
@Miami305 No, she does not. She needs professional help. She is a grown woman. She does not need someone controlling her personal life and finances. She was in a conservatorship for 13 years but it did not help her get better either. It is because she is famous so that is why people are fixated on her behavior. There are other people who act this way or make other silly decisions as well but you don’t suggest conservatorship for them.
Stanley, from the ‘Right’ side of the pond the subject woman is not “Famous”, however, she is infamous and has been for longer than I care to remember. Clearly a person to be pitted and treated for her mental perturbations.
"the subject woman is not “Famous”"
Wait, huh? While she's obviously no longer at the height of her career, the woman has first-name-only recognition for nearly all of the English-speaking Western world.
There's barely a half-dozen women (with common names) on the planet who can claim that: Madonna, Cher, Mariah, Janet. Not many more.
Surely Synn, the subject woman’s status is a matter for each individual to determine. One suspects that there are less people who would admit to knowing of Ludovico Einaudi, who is undoubtedly better known in certain circles and a true musician too, yes?
Not totally a non sequitur, but I love Ludovico Einaudi! Been learning some of his songs. First time I’ve ever heard someone reference his name. I’m heading to Italy this summer and dad he’s not performing while I’m there.
No! Britney does not need another conservatorship! 13 years basically destroyed her! She needs decent, trustworthy and caring people around her, not her evil father who treated her like a slave!
Holy shit this is sad, wtf. Psychiatry is one of the least understood specialties and I am not bullish on Spears recovering to any meaningful degree. Her brain is structurally fried.
Somebody on this blog said I should personally seek help because I wish cancer and death on rude service workers. That’s something that could be within the purview of a mental health professional, but it’s not a priority for me because I don’t, you...
Holy shit this is sad, wtf. Psychiatry is one of the least understood specialties and I am not bullish on Spears recovering to any meaningful degree. Her brain is structurally fried.
Somebody on this blog said I should personally seek help because I wish cancer and death on rude service workers. That’s something that could be within the purview of a mental health professional, but it’s not a priority for me because I don’t, you know, actually act on such wishes. I don’t even tip less than 20% for bar and restaurant service I consider subpar, although I sure as hell do not patronize those establishments a second time, and I rip them a new asshole in Google reviews.
Spears also deserves death but for compassionate reasons. Her living is no longer a meaningful sentient existence. It’s pitiful. Euthanasia is legal for pets and ought to be for people.
One has to wonder if the subject of the article is actually Ben’s Blog nemesis ‘Insane Jane’. If not, they certainly act in the same attention seeking manner.
Oops I did it again:
@lucky: your last sentence
"I really Spears gets the help she needs, because this isn’t a good situation…"
Might want to rephrase that :)
You and I and everyone understands perfectly what Ben meant. Calling out these trivial typos does nothing but reveal your insufferable pedantry.
@Lucky : Thank you
Sad to see. Just a bunch of nonsense being typed out and doesn't seem like she's flying glamorously.
Oh no - apparently Gary is now a guest writer on this blog.
Gary is depraved. Please do not compare Ben to that man.
That man is a P.I.G. pig.