DALLAS— An American Airlines (AA) flight attendant was arrested at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) after allegedly reporting for duty intoxicated and assaulting his supervisor, according to police bodycam footage released this week.
The incident, which took place in May 2024, resurfaced online after the footage was shared on the Police On Scene YouTube channel, drawing over half a million views and sparking renewed discussion about alcohol policies for airline crew members.
Representative Photo: American Airlines (Not related to the incident)
American Airlines Drunk Attendant Arrested
Police bodycam video obtained from the DFW Airport Police Department shows the male flight attendant appearing visibly drunk, slurring his words, and struggling to stay balanced while arguing with two supervisors on the jetbridge.
Responding officers quickly determined he was heavily intoxicated—one officer was heard describing him as “s**tfaced.”
As the situation escalated, officers restrained the attendant using leg restraints and placed a spit mask over his head after he resisted arrest. The footage captures him shouting and attempting to evade officers while supervisors tried to intervene.
According to PYOK, the attendant initially told police he was “deadheading” (traveling as a passenger) to avoid disciplinary action. However, supervisors confirmed he was actually scheduled as the lead flight attendant in First Class.
American Airlines Dallas Hub. Photo: American Airlines
Alcohol Policy and Professional Standards
Flight attendants, like pilots and other safety-sensitive aviation employees, are strictly prohibited from consuming alcohol while on duty or within eight hours of reporting for work.
Even after that period, they must have a blood alcohol concentration below 0.04. These regulations are enforced under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s substance policy.
Investigators noted that the attendant’s luggage contained several miniature alcohol bottles, further compounding the case. After he allegedly shoved a supervisor and tried to flee, police took him into custody.
Aftermath and Public Reaction
Once detained, the flight attendant was wheeled through the terminal in a passenger wheelchair before being placed in a police cruiser. Bodycam footage shows him repeatedly kicking the car door and yelling, “I don’t belong here,” resulting in an additional charge of criminal mischief.
The video’s viral spread reignited public debate about alcohol consumption among flight crews and the importance of rigorous enforcement of sobriety standards in aviation. American Airlines (AA) has not publicly commented on the employee’s current status.
Representative Photo: Delta
Similar Incident
Delta Air Lines (DL) faced a serious safety incident after two of its flight attendants failed pre-flight alcohol tests at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) before operating a long-haul service to New York (JFK) on November 29, 2024.
Dutch police detained the crew members and imposed immediate penalties, prompting swift disciplinary action from the airline.
The two attendants, a man and a woman, were found intoxicated following their Thanksgiving layover in Amsterdam. Their removal occurred shortly before Delta flight DL49’s scheduled departure, raising concerns about crew discipline and aviation alcohol testing standards.
Dutch authorities confirmed that both flight attendants failed breathalyzer tests administered during a coordinated law enforcement sweep at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS).
The female attendant’s blood alcohol level measured 1.43 grams per liter—seven times the European aviation limit of 0.2 grams per liter—while her male colleague registered 0.24 grams per liter.
The woman was fined €1,900 (about USD 2,000), and the man received a €275 fine. These penalties highlight the Netherlands’ strict enforcement of alcohol regulations for aircrew, which prohibit any consumption within ten hours before duty.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) reinforces this policy, cautioning that even compliance with the “bottle to throttle” rule may not ensure legal blood alcohol levels.
Photo: Aero Icarus | Flickr
Delta Air Lines (DL) acted quickly, suspending both employees and initiating potential termination proceedings. The airline stated that its internal investigation remains ongoing but reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on alcohol violations.
Despite the disruption, flight DL49 departed with only a 20-minute delay and arrived at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) ahead of schedule. Delta repositioned standby crew to fill the vacant roles, maintaining operational continuity and minimizing passenger impact.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News