BA flight attendant spared jail after meth-fueled AWOL in San Francisco

A British Airways flight attendant was found naked and babbling in a plane toilet after going AWOL in San Francisco and taking meth, and has avoided jail with a suspended sentence. Haden Pentecost, 41, from Basingstoke, Hampshire, had told colleagues he was suffering stomach cramps before beginning his shift on a ten-hour flight from San Francisco to London Heathrow on May 25. He was removed from attendant duties after failing to help complete pre-flight safety checks, and colleagues later found him in the aircraft lavatory, naked and oblivious to his surroundings.

It later emerged Pentecost had ingested a mixture of drugs, leaving him agitated, sweating and babbling when discovered. Prosecutors described him as pale, erratic and disheveled, with dilated pupils and an inability to answer basic questions about the year or the U.S. president. He reportedly drank 15 to 20 bottles of water during the flight as cabin crew and the captain worked to manage the situation. A colleague had to clothe him before moving him to a sleeper seat, an arrangement described by the court as a huge distraction for the crew.

A blood test administered after landing in London showed Pentecost had 236 mg of methamphetamine per litre of blood. He later admitted to a colleague that he had taken drugs while in San Francisco, telling the court he had done so to enhance a sexual experience. He was taken to Hillingdon Hospital upon arrival in west London. The flight itself proceeded with professional handling by the rest of the crew, and no passengers were aware of Pentecost’s state.

Pentecost was represented by Jon Harrison, who said his client had always been a valued member of cabin crew. Harrison argued that the incident occurred after an off-duty period and described Pentecost as having felt embarrassed and ashamed afterward. He emphasized that Pentecost would not repeat the offense and accepted a life lesson from the event. Prosecutor Natasha Lake noted that Pentecost had performed an aviation function while impaired by drugs, a charge that the defendant ultimately admitted.

Isleworth Crown Court heard that Pentecost had told a colleague in San Francisco that he was suffering stomach cramps and needed a drink, which a flight attendant described as the onset of the episode. Judge Hannah Duncan characterized the offense as serious, stressing that Pentecost’s role carried safety responsibilities and public trust. She described the incident as bizarre and frightening for any passengers who might have witnessed it, and she noted that the professionalism of his colleagues prevented any passenger exposure to the state he was in.

Pentecost was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to perform 80 hours of unpaid work and to pay £150 in court costs. He has since been dismissed by British Airways. The judge highlighted that, while Pentecost’s career and character were otherwise commendable, the offense could not be excused, and the public would expect strict accountability for those who hold responsibilities for passenger safety.