Trolley WALLY! Ryanair steward, 26, is arrested and sacked after he was ‘filmed downing alcohol on flight’
- Ryanair steward Sam Thompson was sacked for ‘downing booze on a flight’
- The 26-year-old was arrested at Stansted Airport in Essex on Wednesday
- Thompson is set to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on June 8
A Ryanair steward is being prosecuted after he was sacked for allegedly downing booze on a flight.
Sam Thompson, 26, is accused of drinking a mini bottle of wine and a shot of Jack Daniels whisky from a drinks trolley on a flight from Rzeszow in Poland to Stansted Airport on Wednesday.
He allegedly necked the booze with a passenger at the rear of the plane and made an obscene gesture to the camera.
Thompson was arrested on landing at Stansted after the captain was alerted, and charged with ‘performing an aviation function, namely being a member of cabin of an aircraft during flight, when their ability to do so was impaired because of drink’.
Thompson has been sacked by Ryanair and is set to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on June 8.
Sam Thompson, 26, is accused of drinking a mini bottle of wine and a shot of Jack Daniels whisky from a drinks trolley on a flight on Wednesday
The alleged incident is said to have taken place on a flight from Rzeszow to Stansted
Ryanair crew are banned from drinking alcohol up to eight hours before, or during, a flight. The company’s code of ethics says being ‘impaired by drugs or alcohol while performing company business’ is subject to disciplinary action.
It is believed that the captain breathalysed Thompson, according to The Sun newspaper.
A Essex Police spokesperson said: ‘Sam Thompson, 26, of Cheshunt, will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 8 June to answer a charge of performing an aviation function, namely a member of cabin of an aircraft during flight, when their ability to do so was impaired because of drink.
Ryanair crew are banned from drinking alcohol during a flight (stock image)
‘It relates to an incident at Stansted Airport on Wednesday 18 May 2022 where the charge is contrary to sections 92(1)(a) and 95 of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003.’
Ryanair said that the flight was being operated by sister company Lauda Europe.
‘Lauda Europe policy, in line with European Aviation Safety Agency regulation, prohibits the consumption of alcohol by cabin or flight crew from 8 hours prior to a flight duty until after the duty is complete,’ a spokesperson said.
‘Lauda Europe has investigated a reported individual cabin crew breach of this strict policy on a flight from Rzeszow to Stansted (18 May). The cabin crew member in question no longer operates for Lauda Europe.’