A long-serving United Airlines flight attendant has admitted performing aviation duties while 10 times over the alcohol limit after consuming multiple vodka bottles during a San Francisco–London flight.
Margit Lake, 56, was taken to hospital on arrival at Heathrow when paramedics detected alcohol and later found her blood-alcohol level was 216mg per 100ml, far above the UK aviation limit of 20mg.
The incident ended her 26-year career and led to court proceedings, where she pleaded guilty and expressed deep regret amid personal struggles, including bereavement and isolation. Supported in court by British colleagues, Lake avoided prison and was issued fines totalling £2,130, though prosecutors stressed she posed a serious risk to passengers and herself during the ten-hour flight.
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