A United Airlines flight attendant, Margit Lake, was found to have consumed an excessive amount of vodka on a transatlantic flight, rendering her ten times over the legal alcohol limit for flying. Lake, aged 56, reportedly brought multiple miniature bottles of vodka onto the ten-hour flight from San Francisco to Heathrow on October 17. Following the flight’s landing in London, she had to be taken to a hospital due to her high blood alcohol content.

During the court hearing at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court, it was revealed that Lake, who had been with United Airlines for 26 years, resigned from her position after the incident. The court learned that Lake’s blood alcohol level was 216 milligrams per 100 milliliters, far exceeding the legal limit of 20 milligrams per 100 milliliters for flight attendants in the UK. Lake admitted to performing an aviation function while intoxicated.

In her defense, Lake’s lawyer, Ben Lansbury, mentioned that she was dealing with feelings of isolation, estrangement from her family, and grief, leading her to consume alcohol to calm down. Lansbury expressed Lake’s deep regret over the incident and highlighted her active participation in Alcoholics Anonymous since the initial hearing.

Magistrate Tony Delliston assured Lake that the case would be handled without imprisonment and instead imposed a financial penalty. Lake was fined £1,461 along with a £584 victim surcharge and £85 for court costs.