London police arrested the co-pilot of a passenger jet on suspicion of being over the legal alcohol limit, minutes before the flight was due to take off for the U.S. on Sunday, authorities said.
London police said officers boarded the Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340-600 as it was undergoing final checks before takeoff from Heathrow Airport to Miami. A 42-year-old crew member was arrested.
Virgin Atlantic confirmed the man was a first officer on the plane, which has a three-person flight crew. He was released on bail but was suspended from duty pending a police investigation.
The flight, VS5, was delayed for 3 1/2 hours while a replacement crew was found. There were 266 passengers on board.
Airline regulations, in accordance with transport law, recommend flight crews drink no alcohol for at least eight hours before flying.
