Air China pilot suspended over viral cockpit videos

Young employee faced an online backlash as some questioned why rules over digital devices did not seem to apply to him

The pilot posted multiple videos of himself on social media (Weibo)

A pilot has been suspended after posting online videos of himself in the cockpit of jets.

The Air China employee attracted almost 72,000 fans on his Weibo account, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter, with his clips.

But the pilot, believed to be called 'Andy', has now been suspended by the company, which said his actions could 'impact his emotions in the air'.

Andy is now facing disciplinary action with Air China releasing a statement to say he faces ‘harsh punishment’.

Screen captures of his live clips went viral on Weibo earlier this week.

He videoed himself in a plane’s cockpit and wearing Aviator sunglasses while wearing his pilot’s uniform, complete with three gold stripes on his epaulettes – indicating he is a first officer.

Andy, who is understood to have flown various international routes, also posted videos showing a jet on the runway taken from beneath a passenger walkway.

But he faced an online backlash, with one user commenting: "Why are passengers told to turn off their digital devices on flights, but pilots can just ignore this rule?"

Andy is understood to be a new Air China assistant pilot from Liaoning, in north-west China.

According to his Weibo account, he graduated from the China Civil Aviation University.

Although his Weibo account is still active, all his pictures and videos have been deleted.

In 2013, Air China was caught up in a controversy over expired on-board snacks.

The Beijing Evening News reported passengers on flight Air China CA1268 to Beijing experienced severe diarrhea and vomiting after eating expired biscuits.