Virgin Atlantic has apologised for any inconvenience caused after one of the airline's pilots was arrested on suspicion of being above the alcohol limit.
Police arrested the 47-year-old man while onboard the plane. The New York-bound flight from London Heathrow airport on Saturday morning was delayed for an hour while a replacement pilot was found.
According to the Sun newspaper, security staff at the airport alerted the police to the pilot after smelling alcohol on his breath.
"He was arrested under a section of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 that relates to being over the limit on alcohol or drugs," a police spokesperson revealed.
Pilots, flight engineers and cabin crew face a much stricter legal limit of alcohol while onboard than motorists do with the legal limit standing at nine microgrammes and 35 microgrammes of alcohol in their breath respectively.
The airline, headed by entrepreneur Richard Branson, has formally apologised for any inconvenience caused and has asserted its safety concerns.
"Virgin Atlantic… would like to reassure passengers that the airline will be investigating this matter thoroughly in accordance with its strict company policies in relation to operational staff," a statement announced.
"The safety and security of its passengers and crew is Virgin Atlantic's top priority."
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