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

Pilot’s wife Deborah Merritt, 59, from Basingstoke, Hampshire, is said to have 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.

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.