The Pilot Became Intimate With A Female Passenger In The First-Class Section Of An A380

A Qantas pilot is facing disciplinary action after he became intimately involved with a female passenger in the premium first class cabin of an A380 flying from London to Sydney via Singapore. The pilot was reportedly off-duty and not in uniform at the time of the incident.

The Herald Sun newspaper reports that the pilot was seen sitting in the lap of a female passenger in the section of the plane where the seats recline into beds with privacy walls. After being chastised twice by the flight crew and what was described as a "flood" of complaints about the public display of affection, the pilot moved into the economy section of the superjumbo.

The woman got off the plane in Singapore. The pilot flew on to Sydney. It was not clear if the two knew each other before the flight, or whether either had been drinking.

While Qantas said in a statement that an internal investigation is underway and that the pilot could lose is $240,000 job, "Interaction of that nature is something that wouldn't be sanctioned," according to an airline spokeswoman.

The Australian and International Pilots Association has said it will defend the pilot.

FMI: www.aipa.org.au