An easyJet pilot has been suspended after allegedly embarking on a late-night drinking session that ended with him wandering naked through a luxury Cape Verde hotel, just 36 hours before he was due to operate a return flight to London Gatwick.
Why it matters:
- The incident highlights ongoing concerns about pilot conduct and aviation safety, especially on long-haul routes where crew downtime and fatigue are factors.
- Airlines, including easyJet, operate under strict regulations regarding alcohol consumption and professional behavior, with zero-tolerance policies for breaches to ensure passenger and crew safety.
Driving the news:
- On August 4, 2025, an easyJet captain arrived at the five-star Melia Dunas Beach Resort and Spa on Sal Island, Cape Verde, after flying holidaymakers from the UK.
- According to multiple reports, the pilot began drinking shortly after checking in, embarking on a marathon session that extended into the early hours of August 5.
- At around 2:30 AM local time, guests reportedly witnessed the intoxicated pilot, described as "paralytic," undress and wander through the hotel reception area, before making his way to the gym and spa, as detailed by the Daily Mail, The Sun, and the BBC.
- Witnesses recognized him as the captain from their inbound flight and alerted hotel staff, who then contacted easyJet management.
- The pilot was scheduled to operate the 2,332-nautical-mile (4,318 km), six-hour return flight to London Gatwick on the afternoon of August 6, but was immediately removed from duty and replaced following the complaints.
What they’re saying:
- An anonymous source told The Sun: "This was breathtakingly unprofessional behavior from the pilot. It was the height of stupidity. His career with EasyJet is doomed."
- Another airline insider described the pilot as "so drunk that you wouldn’t have put him in charge of a toy airplane, never mind the real thing with hundreds of passengers," according to REUTERS.
- A company source, as reported by the Daily Mail, criticized the captain’s judgment, calling it a "level of stupidity" unexpected from a veteran pilot.
- An easyJet spokesperson stated to the BBC: "As soon as we were made aware, the pilot was immediately stood down from duty, in line with our procedures, pending an investigation. The safety of our passengers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority."
- The airline also emphasized its code of business ethics, requiring staff to behave "with integrity when dealing with our people, our customers, our partners and the communities within which we operate."
State of play:
- The pilot’s off-duty conduct led to his immediate suspension and removal from the flight roster, in accordance with easyJet procedures.
- The return flight to London Gatwick on August 6 was operated by another captain, with no reported disruption to passengers.
- EasyJet launched a formal investigation into the incident, reaffirming that passenger and crew safety remain the company’s highest priority.
By the numbers:
- The incident took place at the Melia Dunas Beach Resort and Spa, a five-star property charging £1,569 per week, as reported by the Daily Mail.
- The Cape Verde to London Gatwick route is easyJet’s longest from England, covering 2,332 nautical miles and taking about six hours.
- The pilot was seen intoxicated and naked at 2:30 AM on August 5, 2025, and was scheduled to fly the return journey on the afternoon of August 6, 2025—approximately 36 hours later.
Zoom in:
- The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority enforces an 8-hour "bottle-to-throttle" rule for pilots, alongside strict limits on permissible blood alcohol content. Violations can result in immediate suspension, loss of license, and potential criminal charges.
- This incident is not isolated. Previous easyJet safety-related events in 2025 included an Airbus A320-200 diverting to Porto due to a possible engine failure in January, and a near-miss with a mountain during descent into Hurghada, Egypt, in February, both resulting in pilot suspensions and investigations.
- Other airlines have faced similar issues: in 2018, a British Airways pilot was arrested at Gatwick before takeoff after crew suspected him of being drunk. In 2019, a Delta pilot was arrested on suspicion of being intoxicated onboard a full plane at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. In 2023, a British Airways flight attendant was arrested for being over the prescribed alcohol limit.
- More recently, on September 17, 2024, a cargo plane was grounded at Dublin Airport after a pilot failed a surprise breathalyzer test, leading to immediate removal from duty and revocation of the pilot’s license, according to the Irish Aviation Authority.
Between the lines:
- The Cape Verde incident underscores the critical importance of crew conduct, especially during layovers on long-haul flights, where fatigue and downtime can increase risks.
- Airlines have responded to such incidents by emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol impairment and by conducting unannounced checks and sobriety tests for flight crew.
- The aviation industry’s strict regulatory framework is designed to prevent such breaches, but the incident reveals the challenges of ensuring compliance even among experienced pilots.
How it works:
- Airline crews are required to observe mandatory rest periods and sobriety checks before operating flights. The 8-hour bottle-to-throttle rule is a minimum standard, and many airlines enforce even stricter internal policies.
- When a breach is detected or reported, the standard procedure is to immediately suspend the crew member from duty, launch an internal investigation, and, if necessary, involve regulatory authorities.
What to watch:
- The outcome of easyJet’s formal investigation into the pilot’s conduct will be closely monitored by industry observers, regulators, and the public.
- The incident may prompt airlines to review and tighten their monitoring and enforcement of crew conduct, particularly during layovers at resort destinations.
- Regulatory bodies may increase the frequency of unannounced checks and breathalyzer tests at airports and hotels frequented by flight crews.
The bottom line:
- The easyJet pilot’s suspension following his drunken, naked episode at a Cape Verde resort is a stark reminder of the aviation industry’s uncompromising stance on safety and professionalism. While the incident was swiftly addressed with no impact on passengers, it has reignited debate about crew conduct and the effectiveness of current safeguards. As investigations proceed, airlines and regulators alike are likely to face renewed pressure to ensure such lapses remain rare exceptions rather than recurring headlines.
