British Airways flight attendant found naked and high on drugs in toilet mid-flight

A British Airways flight attendant lost his job after he was found high on drugs without any clothes on in the onboard toilet.

Haden Pentecost was travelling from California to London when he was stood down by the manager for failing to help with the pre-flight safety checks, a court has heard.

The 41-year-old, who appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Friday (22 August), locked himself in the plane’s bathroom after complaining of stomach cramps.

Described as being agitated and sweating, he told his colleagues that he needed to change his clothes.

It was said in court that when another member of staff opened up the bathroom door, Pentecost was oblivious to the fact that he had no clothes on.

With diluted pupils and a high heart rate, the Basingstoke resident was seen to by a health professional on board, before speaking to the captain of the plane. He had to be checked every 20 minutes until the plane arrived at Heathrow.

After Pentecost was taken to hospital, blood tests revealed that he had methamphetamine and amphetamines in his system.

A British Airways steward found flight attendant Haden Pentecost, 41, naked in the plane bathroom (PA)

The court was told that British Airways sacked him following the incident, as Pentecost pleaded guilty to performing an aviation function while impaired by drugs.

He has been granted bail and is set to be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court at a later date.

Amphetamines are man-made drugs that make the messages between your brain and body move faster.

Taking too much or without a prescription can cause addiction, trouble sleeping, fast heartbeat, or paranoia.

Methamphetamine (meth), however, is a stronger type of amphetamine. Illegal meth, like 'crystal meth', is considered to be addictive and dangerous, causing extreme energy, heart problems, and mental health issues.

British Airways fired Pentecost after the incident, the court was told (PA)

According to the NHS, crystal meth can cause 'out of character violent behaviour', as well as 'depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts when withdrawing'.

Regular meth use can also lead to 'poor verbal memory, poor problem solving, poor concentration'.

It comes after former British Airways flight attendant Jennifer Clifford successfully sued her employer of 40 years for disability discrimination and unfair dismissal.

Clifford, who suffered from stress and depression partly due to uncertainty about her job during the pandemic, requested a phased return to work.

Clifford won a disability discrimination and unfair dismissal case against British Airways (Getty Stock Images)

Despite her long service and previous good health record, the airline dismissed her in December 2022 for being unable to fly.

"Ms Clifford needed a phased return in a ground duties placement before returning to her full contractual flying role," judge Emma Hawksworth said.

"That was because of the need to rebuild her confidence and to give time to adjust to working again, and these requirements arose from her disability.

"She remained unable, because of anxiety and depression, to return to her flying role when required to do so by [British Airways] at the end of the resourcing and recruitment placement."

LADbible Group has contacted British Airways for comment.