Wouldn’t Put Out Cigarette, Kicks Police Officer : Connie Francis Arrested After Fracas on Plane

Connie Francis, booked on trespass and battery charges after she refused to put out a cigarette aboard a Delta jetliner, called crew members “big jerks” and kicked a policeman, was released from custody today.

The Nassau-to-Los Angeles flight was being refueled Tuesday in Atlanta and the flight crew had asked all passengers to extinguish cigarettes, Delta spokesman Bill Berry said.

Police were called when the singer refused to put out her cigarette despite a personal request from the captain and refused to leave the plane, Berry said.

Police escorted her off the aircraft and Francis kicked one of the officers as they were walking toward the terminal, an Atlanta police spokesman said.

She was taken to the Clayton County jail and charged with criminal trespass and simple battery on a police officer. After processing, she was released early today.

“Oh, boy, this is one for the books,” Francis said after she was released.

Francis, 48, who recorded such hits as “Where The Boys Are” and “Who’s Sorry Now,” flashed a thumbs-up sign for photographers as she boarded an Eastern Airlines flight to continue to Los Angeles.