A UNITED Airlines pilot has been snapped sleeping in first class during a flight to Glasgow from the USA by concerned passengers.
A United Airlines pilot shocked passengers after he was spotted sleeping in a first-class seat during a flight to the UK.
The kipping pilot photographed in slumber by a concerned passenger on the flight from Newark Airport, New Jersey, USA to Glasgow Airport, Scotland as he believed the pilot’s actions posed a safety risk.
His photo shows the pilot stretched out under a blanket on a fully reclined seat. Next to him is his uniform on a hanger draped over the seat.
Apparently, the pilot had changed out of his uniform in the toilet one hour into the seven-hour flight, the passenger, a retired police officer, said.
When he woke up after an hour and a half. he put his uniform back on and returned to the cock pit, the traveller claimed.
The passenger told the Daily Record: “I don’t think the captain of a flight packed with hundreds of people should be in such a vulnerable position.
“Surely if pilots are in need of a rest mid-flight, they should do it away from the passengers. I’ve travelled to the US many times and have never witnessed this.”
The flight had left Liberty International Airport in New Jersey at 7.40pm on 22 August and arrived at Glasgow Airport on 23 August at 7.30am.
United Airlines told Express.co.uk: The safety of our customers and employees is of prime importance at United Airlines. On transatlantic flights, pilots are required to take a rest break.
“This aircraft is operated by a cockpit crew of three and this pilot was on his rest period.
United Airlines news pilot
United Airlines: On transatlantic flights, pilots are required to take a rest break. (Image: Getty Images)
Aviation deals website, The Points Guy has defended the action of the sleeping pilot.
“On longer legs, such as those across the Atlantic, [a pilot sleeping during the flight] is actually required by law,” states the site.
“According to the Code of Federal Regulations, or CFR, when there are three or more pilots operating a flight, each may not exceed more than eight hours of flight deck duty in any 24-hour period.
“The flight in question, United 161, from Newark (EWR) to Glasgow, Scotland (GLA), typically has a flight time of fewer than seven hours, so two pilots could operate that eastbound leg.
“The return can exceed eight hours of cockpit time, however, so an additional pilot is required — and they can’t spend rest time on the flight deck.”
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United Airlines: The flight had left Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on 22 August (Image: Getty Images)
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The Points Guy added that on large planes pilots have a dedicated crew rest area away from the view of the passengers, but, on smaller planes, this isn’t possible.
It says: “One of the 16 lie-flat business-class seats is reserved specifically as a crew rest.”
A pilot, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed this was the case to Express.co.uk.
Last month, a viral video emerged of a female pilot and a flight attendant dancing next to a moving plane.
Called the KiKi challenge, it was inspired by Drake’s music video In My Feelings after comedian Shiggy posted a video of the dance. The two do the classic moves, acting out a heart and a steering wheel while strutting alongside the plane.
Online users were mixed in their feelings towards the video and the moving plane. One wrote: “Brilliant, but they still hold their pilot’s license?”
However, one online user refuted people who felt it was dangerous: “To all the people saying they should be sacked the plane was being tugged and there would be no passengers in the plane. They most likely got permission to do this!”
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Aviation deals website, The Points Guy has defended the action of the sleeping pilot.
“On longer legs, such as those across the Atlantic, [a pilot sleeping during the flight] is actually required by law,” states the site.
“According to the Code of Federal Regulations, or CFR, when there are three or more pilots operating a flight, each may not exceed more than eight hours of flight deck duty in any 24-hour period.
“The flight in question, United 161, from Newark (EWR) to Glasgow, Scotland (GLA), typically has a flight time of fewer than seven hours, so two pilots could operate that eastbound leg.
“The return can exceed eight hours of cockpit time, however, so an additional pilot is required — and they can’t spend rest time on the flight deck.”