TOKYO— Three Japan Airlines (JAL, JL) flights from Honolulu (HNL) to Japan were delayed after a pilot was found to have consumed alcohol before duty on August 28, 2025. Two of the flights were pushed back by nearly 18 hours, impacting hundreds of travelers.
The incident involved a captain scheduled to operate a service to Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) but who reported sick on the day of departure, admitting to drinking alcohol at his hotel the night before. Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) launched an investigation at JAL’s Tokyo headquarters following the disruption.
Photo: Aero Icarus | FlickrJapan Airlines Pilot Found Drunk
The disruption on August 28 affected around 630 passengers. After the captain’s withdrawal, JAL had to source an alternate pilot, which caused significant delays not only to the Honolulu–Nagoya service but also to two Tokyo Haneda (HND) flights.
This is the latest in a series of alcohol-related incidents involving Japan Airlines employees.
In December 2023, the carrier received a formal business improvement order from MLIT, urging stricter controls on staff conduct after repeated misconduct cases.
Previous Cases of Misconduct
Alcohol issues have shadowed the airline in recent years.
- In April 2024, a JAL captain was warned by U.S. police for disruptive behavior while intoxicated at his hotel.
- In December 2024, two JAL pilots scheduled to fly from Melbourne (MEL) to Japan failed pre-flight alcohol tests, forcing a departure delay.
- In January 2025, JAL submitted new preventive measures to MLIT, including monitoring employees with a history of excessive drinking.
Photo: Charles | FlickrMeasures Taken by the Airline
To address the recurring problems, JAL has pledged stricter oversight. Its measures include:
- A dedicated list of employees identified as at risk due to alcohol consumption.
- Enhanced monitoring of pilot behavior both in and outside of duty periods.
- Reinforcement of alcohol testing protocols before international and domestic flights.
The ministry’s investigation will determine whether these measures are being implemented effectively or if further regulatory action is required.
Photo: Aero Icarus | FlickrSimilar Incident
Japan Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, confirmed that two pilots tested above the alcohol limit before operating Flight JL774 from Melbourne (MEL) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) on December 1, 2024. The incident led to a delay of more than three hours.
The two senior captains failed pre-flight alcohol screenings after self-administered hotel tests and further checks at Melbourne Airport. Japan Airlines launched an internal investigation and reported the case to the ministry on December 6.
The pilots involved were Captain A, 59, with 15,632 flight hours, and Captain B, 56, with 13,310 flight hours. Both companies tested above the company limits during self-checks around 5 AM at their hotel.
Captain A initially requested a shift delay, citing illness, while Captain B continued to the airport. Airport tests confirmed Captain B’s alcohol levels remained above safety standards until 8:15 AM. Captain A later re-tested below the limit at the hotel and arrived at the airport around 6 AM.
As a result, Flight JL774, operated by a Boeing 787-8 (registration: JA840J), departed Melbourne at 10:31 AM, 3 hours and 11 minutes later than scheduled. It landed at Tokyo Narita (NRT) at 5:57 PM, 2 hours and 42 minutes behind schedule.
On board were 103 passengers and 11 crew members, including two captains, one co-pilot, and eight cabin attendants.
Japan Airlines conducted a detailed investigation on December 3. It confirmed that both captains consumed alcohol on November 30, between 2 PM and 4 PM. Their intake included two glasses of sparkling wine and two bottles of wine the day before their duty.
The airline enforces a strict policy requiring pilots to have residual alcohol levels equivalent to four drinks or less 12 hours before reporting for duty. Any reading above 0.00 milligrams per liter on a breath test automatically disqualifies a pilot from flying.
Bottom Line
While no flight operated under the influence of alcohol in these cases, the delays highlight concerns over operational reliability and passenger trust.
For an airline with a long-standing reputation for safety, repeated scandals threaten its credibility and may prompt stronger government intervention if issues persist.
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