A drunk flight attendant who was eight times the alcohol limit while on a flight to Spain last month has claimed she was stressed.
Pilot's wife Deborah Merritt, 59, from Basingstoke, Hampshire, downed bottles of wine on a British Airways flight from Heathrow to Malaga after a family incident.
A test revealed she had an alcohol level of 70mcg in 100ml of breath - but the limit for crew is nine mcg.
She was taken to the back of the aircraft and buckled into a seat before being arrested when the plane landed.
Merritt had worked for British Airways for 37 years before she was sacked after her arrest.
The ex-BA employee admitted a drink-related charge after a second test showed a reading of 52mcg.
Uxbridge magistrates fined her £768 with £392 costs.
Defending, Ghulam Ali said Merritt was stressed as she was dealing with a family incident.
Deborah Merritt, 59, from Basingstoke, Hampshire, admitted a drink-related charge after a second test showed a reading of 52mcg
She had worked for British Airways for 37 years before she was sacked after her arrest
Mr Ali told the court that Merritt had a few bottles of wine the day before, The Sun reports.
He said: 'She thought it would be out of her system. She doesn't eat so much.'
Merritt told the court: 'I'm devastated I won't be able to do this job again.'
The Daily Mail has approached British Airways for comment.