United Airlines extends ‘bottle-to-throttle’ booze ban
United Airlines has extended the pre-flight alcohol ban for pilots to 12 hours after two recent alcohol related incidents.
It has strengthened the so-called ‘bottle-to-throttle’ no drinking period to 12 hours, up from the minimum eight-hour limit imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Two United pilots were arrested in Scotland last week suspected of being under the influence before a flight back to the US.
The flight was canceled and one of the pilots was later charged.
"This policy is being changed to help assure pilot compliance with standards established by the United States and individual states where United operates around the world," the airline wrote in an employee memo.
The new limit took effect last week.
"Inappropriate alcohol use by airline pilots is exceedingly rare," the Air Line Pilots Association said.
Earlier this month a flight attendant was arrested and later fired after slurring her words during the pre-flight safety demonstration.
She was then photographed passed out in a jump seat.
In July a Delta pilot was arrested before a flight in Minneapolis in possession of alcohol on duty.
Delta, American and Southwest Airlines all follow the FAA’s eight-hour cut-off limit and none have so far said they are considering extending it.
Alaska Airlines has a 10-hour no booze period before a flight.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026