Air France denies theft liability

Air France said it is responsible only for checked-in baggage and not items taken on board flights, after one of its cabin crew was charged with 26 robberies of business class passengers and suspected of many more, the Guardian reports.

The flight attendant, known as Lucie R, was arrested on the runway of Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport on Friday. Police said the 47-year-old stole credit cards and cash – in multiple currencies – to jewellery and designer watches.

The investigation was launched in January when five passengers aboard a Boeing 777 between Tokyo and Paris complained of having had around €4,000 (£3,380) of foreign currency stolen during flights.

142 flights

Lucie R admitted carrying out 26 of the "mile-high" thefts. Since January, passengers travelling on 142 flights between France and Asia have reported losing possessions.

"An examination of her bank accounts showed an incredible gap between her lifestyle and her declared income," an investigator told Le Figaro newspaper.

Dozens of passengers who had items stolen said they will ask their insurers for reimbursement.