Japan Airlines flight delayed after cabin crew member found to have consumed alcohol

Japan Airlines confirmed that a flight from Hiroshima to Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Saturday (23 May 2026) was delayed because a flight attendant tested positive for alcohol consumption. According to Kompas.com citing Japan Today on Thursday (28 May 2026), the aircraft was scheduled to depart Hiroshima at 07:40 with 186 passengers, but the delay pushed the departure to 08:22. In a statement, JAL identified the individual as a chief flight attendant. Company policy permits alcohol consumption only 12 hours before duty with a limit of four drinks. The chief flight attendant tested positive for alcohol above the permissible limit and was immediately removed from flight duties. This is not the first incident involving Japan Airlines. In 2024, a captain and co-pilot attempted to deceive alcohol tests before a flight from Melbourne to Narita near Tokyo. In 2025, a flight from Honolulu to Japan was delayed over 18 hours after a pilot was found to have consumed alcohol. Yukio Nakagawa, JAL’s chief safety officer and director, apologised to the public and vowed to thoroughly investigate the matter. “We deeply regret that repeated alcohol-related incidents have damaged public trust in our company,” he said. “We are taking this matter extremely seriously and will strengthen preventive measures to ensure strict enforcement of regulations.” Nakagawa also expressed concern that hierarchical structures may have prevented junior crew members from intervening when the chief flight attendant consumed excessive alcohol. JAL has reported the incident to Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and is currently under investigation.