Austral Lineas Aereas Pilots Fired Over Playboy Playmate Cockpit Selfie: Was It Worth It?

Two Argentinian pilots were fired from airline Austral Lineas Aereas after a sexy mid-flight selfie session made its way to social media. And it wasn’t the only bit of bad behavior that landed the men in hot water.

According to the Daily Caller, pilots Patricio Zocchi Molina and Federico Matias Soaje were fired when they decided to let Playboy model Viky Xipolitakis fly the plane. Apparently, the pilots were so smitten with Xipolitakis’s “assets” that they were willing to risk the lives of 36 passengers.

The excited model was eager to share her mini-adventure, which she posted to social media. In the selfie pics, Viky poses with Patricio and Federico in the cockpit. The pilots were all smiles, and Xipolitakis was all cleavage. Coincidence? Probably not.

#Rosario pic.twitter.com/RLJOvnBCbd

— Viky Xipolitakis (@VXipolitakisOK) June 24, 2015

But while the selfies were in poor taste, the video was rather worrying. The model videotapes the pilots as they explain to her how the various control works. Xipolitakis was then invited to fly the plane during takeoff. The model briefly complied.

Three days after the video and selfies were posted to the internet, Austral Lineas announced that the men were given the boot.

“The company confirms its continuing commitment to safety and the respect for operational and safety policies and protocols…The behavior of the pilots, also rejected by their professional association, is totally opposed to the operational safety culture of Austral Líneas Aéreas.”

Getting fired appears to be the least of the former pilots’ problems. ABC News reports that criminal charges could be filed against them as well.

“Also criminal proceedings against the above-named and against the passenger involved will be initiated under Article 190 of the penal code for putting the flight’s safety at risk.”

This statement seems to suggest that not only could the pilots be criminally liable, but the Playboy model herself. Viky Xipolitakis has since apologized on social media for her role in the debacle. Her statements, which were originally written in Spanish, have since been translated.

“I sincerely and wholeheartedly did not imagine I could cause this much damage. With respect to the extraordinary flight, being there was an unforgettable and beautiful experience, I never thought there would be this much fuss.”

Maybe her apology can help her avoid any further liability, but it certainly hasn’t helped the two pilots. Since getting fired, the men have learned that if they ever want to fly for Austral Lineas again, they’ll have to wait at least five years.

What do you think: Should the pilots have been fired by Austral Lineas or was it a big overreaction? Share your thoughts below!

[Image Credit: Viky Xipolitakis/Twitter]