A Ryanair cabin crew member who was reportedly seen drinking alcohol on a flight has been sacked after failing a breath test.

The Sun newspaper reports Sam Thompson, 26, was caught allegedly downing a miniature bottle of wine and a shot of Jack Daniels from a drinks trolley on a flight last week from Rzeszow, Poland, to Stansted Airport.

A passenger who had asked crew for a drink said he was shocked when Thompson started drinking with him.

The passenger told the Sun the steward ‘seemed to have been drinking for longer than just on the flight’ and reported to him to the captain.

The Sun said it is believed the captain breathalysed Thompson who allegedly had 50mg per 100 millilitres of breath. 

The legal limit for driving a car is 35mg.

Essex Police said Thompson, of Cheshunt, Herts, had been charged with ‘performing an aviation function, namely being a member of cabin of an aircraft during flight, when their ability to do so was impaired because of drink’. 

He has been sacked and must appear at Chelmsford magistrates’ court on 8 June.

Ryanair said the plane was being operated by sister company Lauda Europe.

The airline added: “Lauda Europe has investigated a reported individual cabin crew breach of this strict policy. 

“The cabin crew member in question no longer operates for Lauda Europe.”