Pilot’s Pre-Flight Jokes Trigger 90-Min Delay After Passenger Suspects He’s Drunk

A woman’s concern over a pilot’s humour forced a return to the gate for a breath test, sparking an online debate on aviation safety and perception

xA routine flight turned into an unexpected spectacle after a passenger grew suspicious of the pilot’s behaviour, triggering a 90-minute delay — an incident that has since taken social media by storm.

The issue came to light when a user named Brian (@bdguan) shared the experience on X (formerly Twitter). In his post, he said the pilot cracked “a few jokes” before take-off, prompting a woman in first class to fear he might be under the influence of alcohol. As a precaution, the flight crew returned the aircraft to the gate for a mandatory breathalyzer test.

The procedure led to a 90-minute delay, causing equal parts frustration and amusement a