A GATWICK air stewardess stripped to her underwear and ran semi-naked around a plane after losing a bet.

But she is likely to escape with a reprimand rather than the sack, it emerged today.

Airline chiefs investigating the incident are believed to regard the escapade at Genoa airport, Italy, as a light-hearted prank rather than a sacking offence.

The 23-year-old dark-haired stewardess ran around a BA Boeing 737 on the tarmac in just bra, knickers and the captain's hat after losing a bet that an incoming flight would land late.

She has already been interviewed by cabin crew management, who will be talking to all the crew involved in the incident on Sunday.

The impromptu streak was witnessed by other cabin crew, baggage handlers and cleaning staff. But it is thought that no passengers saw it.

BA said today: "We are looking closely at reports of some alleged pranks involving our crew during the turnaround of one of our flights to Italy."

The stewardess had flown from Gatwick to Genoa on Saturday.

It is thought that on Saturday night, she bet the captain the next day's incoming BA2614 flight from Gatwick, which they were taking back to the UK, would be late.

But she was forced to carry out the streak as a forfeit when it landed 10 minutes early.

Eyewitnesses said the unnamed woman walked down the aircraft steps dressed only in knickers, shoes, a loose-hanging security waistcoat and the pilot's hat.

To wolf-whistles and applause, the red-faced stewardess then allegedly ran around the aircraft before skipping back up the stairway.

Afterwards, she stepped back into uniform to greet the passengers for Gatwick.

Airline managers denied the incoming pilot was made aware of the bet and made every effort to arrive ahead of schedule.

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