Cabin crew fired for exceeding alcohol limit

A British Airways flight attendant has lost her job after being found to have alcohol levels far exceeding the legal limit before a flight.

Deborah Merritt, 59, was working on a three-hour journey from Malaga to Heathrow when colleagues noticed her unsteady behavior. During the flight, she appeared to struggle to maintain balance and was eventually moved to the back of the cabin, where she was secured in a seat for landing.

After the Airbus A320 arrived at Heathrow, Merritt was arrested. A breath test revealed she had 70 micrograms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath—well above the legal limit of 9 micrograms for air crew. A second test later recorded 52 micrograms.

In court, her defense stated that she had been dealing with a stressful family situation and had consumed several bottles of wine the day before the flight, believing the alcohol would no longer be in her system. It was also noted that she had not eaten much.

Merritt, who had worked for British Airways for 37 years and was married to a pilot, admitted the drink-related offense. She expressed regret, telling the court she was devastated to lose the career she had dedicated decades to.

She was fined £768 and ordered to pay £392 in costs.