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A Japan Airlines flight from Honolulu to Nagoya was delayed after the captain reported being unfit for duty due to alcohol consumption. Two additional flights from Honolulu International Airport to Tokyo Haneda were also delayed by about 18 hours. The delays affected a total of 630 passengers.
According to the South China Morning Post, the pilot admitted to drinking at his hotel and called in sick on the day of departure. The airline had to arrange a replacement pilot for the scheduled flight. Simple Flying has reached out to Japan Airlines for comment.
This incident is part of a pattern involving alcohol-related issues among Japan Airlines crew members. Earlier this year, US police cautioned a Japan Airlines captain for causing a disturbance while intoxicated at his hotel. In December 2024, two pilots scheduled for a flight from Melbourne to Japan failed preflight alcohol checks and were subsequently dismissed by the airline. These two former captains were also suspended by the Japanese transport ministry after providing false explanations about their alcohol use.
