Japan Airlines has announced a complete ban on alcohol consumption by cabin crew during layovers after a flight attendant violated the airline’s strict pre-flight drinking regulations. The decision comes following an incident that caused delays to a domestic flight from Hiroshima to Tokyo.
According to the airline, the Saturday morning flight scheduled to depart at 7:40 a.m. was delayed by around 40 minutes, impacting nearly 186 passengers. The disruption occurred after a female cabin attendant failed to comply with the company’s rule prohibiting alcohol consumption within 12 hours before duty.
The airline stated that the crew member consumed alcohol with a colleague at a hotel lounge during an overnight layover. Although she reportedly tested positive for alcohol during a self-check before reporting for duty, she failed to immediately inform the airline. The violation was later discovered after an additional alcohol screening was conducted at the airport before departure.
A second crew member involved in the incident later informed the airline that she was feeling unwell and could not operate the flight. Japan Airlines said the matter is being treated seriously as it affects public trust and operational safety standards.
The latest case follows previous alcohol-related incidents involving Japan Airlines staff in recent years. In response, the carrier has now strengthened its internal policies by fully prohibiting cabin attendants from drinking alcohol during layovers before scheduled flights. The airline has not yet confirmed whether disciplinary action will be taken against the employees involved.
