Japan Airlines Pilots Exceed Alcohol Limits, Delaying Flight by Over Three Hours
Two senior Japan Airlines pilots were found to have alcohol in their systems before a scheduled flight, causing significant delays for passengers on Flight JL774 from Melbourne, Australia, to Tokyo, Japan, earlier this month.
Incident Overview
The flight was originally set to depart Melbourne at 7:20 a.m. local time on December 1 but was delayed until 10:31 a.m. due to pre-flight alcohol tests conducted on the two pilots.
The issue arose when the pilots, both experienced captains, performed self-administered breath tests at their hotel around 5:00 a.m. and exceeded Japan Airlines’ strict alcohol limits. One pilot, referred to as Captain A, requested a shift delay, citing illness, while Captain B proceeded to the airport for additional testing.
Airport tests confirmed that Captain B’s alcohol levels were above the acceptable limit, requiring multiple retests. By 8:15 a.m., Captain B had cleared the alcohol threshold. Meanwhile, Captain A re-tested at the hotel, cleared the limit, and arrived at the airport around 6:00 a.m.
Flight Details
Despite the delay, the Boeing 787-8 aircraft carrying 103 passengers and 11 crew members, including the two captains, eventually departed Melbourne. The flight landed in Tokyo at 5:57 p.m. local time, three hours and 11 minutes later than scheduled.
Japan Airlines assured that the flight was not operated by crew members under the influence of alcohol. The airline explained in a statement:
“The pre-flight alcohol test confirmed a 0.00 mg/l reading. However, the delay was caused by two scheduled crew members exceeding alcohol limits during pre-flight checks at their hotel. Subsequent tests confirmed a 0.00 mg/l alcohol level, and the flight departed after necessary preparations. We deeply regret this incident and will take thorough measures to prevent recurrence.”
Investigation and Findings
An internal investigation conducted by Japan Airlines on December 3 revealed that both pilots violated company alcohol regulations. Reports indicate that the two captains consumed two glasses of sparkling wine and two bottles of wine between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on November 30, well within the 12-hour no-drinking policy enforced by Japan Airlines.
Japan Airlines’ strict guidelines prohibit alcohol consumption within 12 hours of boarding. The airline introduced a breathalyzer system in 2018 to ensure compliance, particularly for flights departing from international airports.
The airline has since reported the incident to Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport.
Previous Incidents
This is not the first alcohol-related issue for Japan Airlines. In April, another captain’s drinking led to the cancellation of a flight from Dallas to Tokyo. The 49-year-old pilot had been drinking at a restaurant and his hotel lounge, ignoring warnings from staff about his behavior. Although he technically did not violate the 12-hour drinking rule, the airline barred him from flying as a precaution.
Commitment to Safety
Japan Airlines emphasized its commitment to safety and pledged to take additional steps to prevent future incidents. The airline stated:
“We take this matter very seriously and will enforce stricter measures to ensure the safety and reliability of our operations.”
While no passengers were directly endangered in this instance, the delay underscores the importance of rigorous adherence to aviation safety protocols. Passengers can only hope that such incidents are minimized as airlines strive to maintain trust and safety standards.
