British Airways Gets Tough on Drinking

Planning to knock back a few at the airport before boarding your British Airways flight this holiday season? Well, you better watch out. . . .

Citing an increase in disruptive and drunken behavior, the airline last week tightened its policy. If the crew has an inkling that someone might be drunk or disorderly, that person will not be allowed to board, British Airways spokesman John Lampl said.

The previous policy barred obviously inebriated passengers. “We were letting them on if it was questionable,” Lampl explained. Cabin crews also will stop serving drinks to people who appear on the verge of becoming drunk.

The airline began its “get tough” policy after two recent cases in which passengers were jailed for assaulting cabin crews. Last year, British Airways Chief Executive Bob Ayling wrote to police forces around the world pledging support for criminal prosecutions against disruptive passengers.

Whether British Airways is a trend-setter remains to be seen. Gareth Edmondson-Jones, spokesman for rival Virgin Atlantic Airways, said “this is one of the rare instances when we actually support BA’s thinking.” But he added that Virgin Atlantic is a “bit more flexible” on the problem, which he said flares up during holidays and sports events. TWA spokesman Donn Walker downplayed the problem. He said disruptive incidents are rare, and that although TWA won’t board or serve alcohol to drunk passengers, “the last thing any airline wants to do is offend a passenger who is not drunk.”