Married BA Pilot Suspended After Drunkenly Assaulting 3 Female Crew Members During Layover

A married British Airways pilot has been suspended following allegations of drunkenly assaulting three female crew members during a stop-over in Johannesburg.

The incident, which took place after a flight from Heathrow to Johannesburg, has left the airline and its staff in shock.

The pilot, a father-of-two in his 50s, reportedly went on a boozy night out during a layover in Johannesburg. He was accompanied by his 25-year-old lover, who had flown with him on a discounted ticket.

According to reports, the pilot got into an argument with his lover before confronting three of his colleagues—a cabin manager, a first-class stewardess, and an in-flight lead—in the bar of the Marriott Hotel where they were staying.

Witnesses described the pilot as being "barely able to stand" and noted that hotel security staff had to escort him to his room. The next day, the crew refused to operate the return flight if he was in the cockpit, leading to the pilot being flown back to the UK in disgrace as a passenger on a different flight.

British Airways confirmed the suspension, stating, "A member of flight crew has been suspended pending further investigation." The airline has expressed increasing concern over the "wild behaviour" of staff during layovers, particularly in Johannesburg, which has gained a reputation as a party destination for crew members.