British Airways crew member sacked after flying drunk—eight times over limit

A veteran British Airways cabin crew member was arrested after a flight from Malaga to London Heathrow. Deborah Merritt, 59, showed unsteady behaviour upon landing. She was later found to have far exceeded the legal alcohol limit for airline staff. Merritt underwent a breath test, which revealed 70 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. This was nearly eight times the UK’s legal limit of 9 micrograms for airline crew. She pleaded guilty to a drink-related aviation offence, with an evidential reading of 52 micrograms.

The court fined her £768 and ordered her to pay additional costs. British Airways subsequently ended her 37-year career with the airline. The case highlights the risks of the 'morning-after trap', where individuals feel sober but still have alcohol in their system.

Alcohol leaves the body at roughly one unit per hour, though this varies by age, size, and other factors. Even when someone feels fine, their reaction times and concentration may remain impaired. The legal drink-driving limit in England and Wales is 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath—far below Merritt’s reading. Merritt lost her job and received a financial penalty for the offence. The incident underscores the strict alcohol rules for airline crew and the dangers of misjudging sobriety. Her case serves as a reminder that perceived sobriety does not always mean full recovery from alcohol’s effects.