Patron publicly intoxicated and without clothing at a hotel bar.
In a recent development, budget airline EasyJet has grounded one of its pilots following an incident of alleged drunkenness and public nudity at a hotel bar on the Cape Verde islands. The incident, which reportedly occurred last week, was immediately investigated by EasyJet upon becoming aware of it.
The pilot was found naked in a hotel bar and was recognised by passengers who contacted the airline about his behaviour. The flight from London to the Cape Verde islands, which takes around six hours, was scheduled for the pilot to fly passengers back to London approximately 36 hours after the incident. However, a replacement pilot was used for the return flight, and the flight that the pilot was supposed to operate was subsequently cancelled.
The Republic of Cape Verde, made up of ten islands in the Atlantic off the west coast of Africa, is a popular holiday destination for many British tourists. The incident allegedly occurred on the Cape Verde islands.
EasyJet confirmed that the pilot was immediately stood down pending an investigation, emphasising that passenger and crew safety is their highest priority. The airline's response aligns with strict safety policies on alcohol and conduct.
While specific policy texts were not found in the search results, the immediate suspension of the pilot upon being informed of his intoxication behaviour indicates that EasyJet follows strict procedures to remove crew members from duty when alcohol use is detected or suspected. Industry standards generally require airlines to have zero tolerance or very low thresholds for alcohol consumption before and during duty, alongside strict conduct codes to ensure safety.
Past reported EasyJet incidents mostly involve technical or operational issues, but the pilot intoxication episode stands out as a direct conduct and alcohol-related issue. The airline, like others, has continued to prioritise operational safety by enforcing conduct and sobriety standards for pilots.
No detailed official EasyJet alcohol policy text was found, but their handling strongly suggests rigorous enforcement. No information was provided about the identity or employment status of the replacement pilot, or the current status of the investigation into the EasyJet pilot.
This is not the first time EasyJet has faced incidents involving pilots and alcohol. The most recent notable case occurred in August 2025, when an EasyJet pilot was found drunk and naked at a luxury hotel in Cape Verde after a drinking session that lasted into the early hours. The airline confirmed that the pilot was suspended and replaced for the flight back to Gatwick.
It is important to note that this article is based on the facts provided and does not speculate on the outcome of the investigation or the identity of the pilot involved. EasyJet has been contacted for further comment but has not yet responded.
The incident, similar to a previous instance in August 2025, occurred on the popular holiday destination for British tourists, the Cape Verde islands. Despite the lack of a publicly disclosed alcohol policy, EasyJet's response to the alleged intoxication of one of its pilots suggests a rigorous enforcement of sobriety standards, affecting the pilot's lifestyle and travel plans.
