A drunk flight attendant who was eight times the alcohol limit while on a flight to Spain last month has claimed she was stressed. 

Pilot’s wife Deborah Merritt, 59, from Basingstoke, Hampshire, downed bottles of wine on a British Airways flight from Heathrow to Malaga after a family incident. 

A test revealed she had an alcohol level of 70mcg in 100ml of breath – but the limit for crew is nine mcg. 

She was taken to the back of the aircraft and buckled into a seat before being arrested when the plane landed. 

Merritt had worked for British Airways for 37 years before she was sacked after her arrest. 

The ex-BA employee admitted a drink-related charge after a second test showed a reading of 52mcg. 

Uxbridge magistrates fined her £768 with £392 costs.

Defending, Ghulam Ali said Merritt was stressed as she was dealing with a family incident. 

Deborah Merritt, 59, from Basingstoke, Hampshire, admitted a drink-related charge after a second test showed a reading of 52mcg

She had worked for British Airways for 37 years before she was sacked after her arrest

Mr Ali told the court that Merritt had a few bottles of wine the day before, The Sun reports.

He said: ‘She thought it would be out of her system. She doesn’t eat so much.’ 

Merritt told the court: ‘I’m devastated I won’t be able to do this job again.’

The Daily Mail has approached British Airways for comment.