Flight attendant poses as pilot; scams airlines for hundreds of free flights
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A former Canadian flight attendant pleaded guilty in federal court in Honolulu to wire fraud after posing as a commercial pilot for nearly five years to obtain hundreds of free flights on three major US airlines.
Dallas Pokornik, 34, of Toronto, admitted using a fictitious employee identification badge to exploit industry “non-rev” (non-revenue) travel benefits, which allow eligible airline staff free or heavily discounted seats on a space-available basis.
The scheme ran from January 2020 through October 28, 2024.
He had previously worked as a flight attendant for an unnamed Toronto-based airline from July 2017 until October 2019 but was never a pilot and held no airman’s certificate.
Pokornik presented the fake badge, which falsely claimed he remained employed by the Canadian carrier, to secure tickets reserved for pilots and other crew on the three US airlines.
Court records identify the carriers only by headquarters—Honolulu, Chicago, and Fort Worth—corresponding to Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, and American Airlines. Prosecutors said he obtained more than 200 free flights and on some occasions requested a cockpit jump seat, a privilege normally reserved for qualified pilots.
The fraud unraveled in 2024 when an employee at one of the US airlines photographed the forged identification.
The image was shared with Pokornik’s former employer, which confirmed it was fake in part because it listed an expiration date of 2027.
He was indicted in October 2025, arrested in Panama, and extradited to Hawaii to face charges.
On August 6, Pokornik pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud before US District Judge Shanlyn A.S. Park.
As part of the plea agreement, he agreed to pay restitution to the three victim airlines; the exact amount will be set at sentencing.
He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 8 this year.
US Attorney Ken Sorenson stated: “Travel security protocols help keep our citizens and visitors safe, and anyone who breaches those protocols should expect to be brought to justice.”
CJ Ammons, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, added: “This individual took advantage of travel security protocols for his own benefit, and he will now face the consequences of his actions.”
Pokornik had posted about his travels on social media during the period of the scheme. He remains free on bond with conditions pending sentencing.
