Captain Harwell faces up to five years in jail if convicted

Captain Richard Harwell was arrested on Friday night but released from jail after paying $25,000 [�15,000] bail.

He is due to appear in district court in Loudoun County, Virginia on 3 February for a preliminary hearing.

If convicted, the 55-year-old, who is American but lives with his family near Oxford, faces up to five years in jail.

Mr Harwell had been due to fly 383 passengers and 17 crew from Washington Dulles airport to Heathrow in the UK on Friday night.

He was escorted off the plane after airport staff allegedly smelt alcohol on his breath.

Airport authority police charged him with attempting to operate an aircraft while under the influence of alcohol.

Capt Harwell appeared in court via a video link from jail, wearing an orange jumpsuit.

His lawyers had asked the judge to allow their client to go home, but the request was turned down.

Free flights

A spokesman for Virgin Atlantic said on Monday: "Everyone at Virgin Atlantic remains shocked and saddened by this incident and also that one of its most senior pilots, with an exemplary record, is now facing this charge.

"Captain Harwell was stood down from duty on Saturday and will face an internal inquiry. This inquiry will take into account the outcome of the legal proceedings."

Earlier passengers told how there was a "stunned silence" throughout the aircraft when passengers were told the pilot had allegedly been drinking.

They were put up in hotels to wait, while a new crew was sought for the plane. They finally left Washington on Saturday night and have been offered a free flight each as compensation.