[TOKYO] A Japan Airlines Co pilot who brought a stewardess into the cockpit while his partner was on a bathroom break, then took a picture with her on his smartphone, was suspended for violating flight regulations.

The pilot, 47, seated the 28-year-old attendant in the co- pilot's chair and snapped a selfie after the plane had climbed to 10,000 feet. The incident took place June 7 on a flight from northern Japan to Osaka, the airline said in an e-mailed statement.

Cockpit safety has been closely scrutinised after the co- pilot of a Germanwings flight locked the captain out of the cockpit when he went to the bathroom, then deliberately crashed the flight into a mountainside on March 24, killing all 150 people on board. Since then, a number of airlines have insisted that there be two officials in the cockpit at all times.

Japan Airlines said it suspended the pilot immediately for violating regulations that require pilots to remain vigilant.

BLOOMBERG