Canadian man pleads guilty to posing as pilot for free flights

Dallas Pokornik, a 34-year-old Canadian man, has pleaded guilty in a US federal court in Honolulu to wire fraud after posing as a pilot to secure hundreds of free or discounted flights worldwide.

Formerly employed as a flight attendant in Toronto between 2017 and 2019, Pokornik utilized a forged pilot's ID to exploit airline travel benefits starting in January 2020. The fraud affected major carriers including Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, and American Airlines. In some instances, he reportedly sought access to jumpseats in the cockpit and emergency exit rows, areas strictly reserved for authorized aviation personnel.

The deception was discovered when an airline employee found his identification suspicious and reported it. Following his indictment, Pokornik was apprehended in Panama and extradited to the United States. He faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for December 8.