Pilot caught sleeping in the cockpit while flying 747 passenger jet

China Airways pilot is caught SLEEPING within the cockpit whereas flying a Boeing 747

A senior chief pilot "with nearly 20 years flying experience" has been filmed sleeping in the cockpit of his passenger jet.

The man was in the China Airlines 747 while his co-pilot recorded him snoozing on the job.

The embarrassing video surfaced just days after the Chinese airlines pilots ended an unprecedented seven-day strike over issues such as pilot fatigue and long working hours.

Taiwan’s flag carrier, which has its headquarters in Taoyuan International Airport, has responded to the incident saying the clip was filmed before the most recent strikes took place.

The video shows the highly experienced chief officer with his eyes closed and his head down as he sits in the main seat of the cockpit.

While he is yet to be named, he is reportedly the airline’s most senior Boeing 747 pilot, with 20 years of experience flying mainly Tokyo, Okinawa, Seoul and Hong Kong routes.

The chief pilot is also said to be an instructor in charge of simulations at the China Airlines Flight Training Centre.

Facing accusations including ignoring flight safety procedures, the pilot is said to have “received adequate punishment”, a statement by China Airlines said.

The airline added that the video was filmed prior to the February strikes which affected roughly 20,000 passengers booked on about 100 flights.

China Airlines has also suggested the co-pilot who filmed and released the video may also be punished for choosing to record the clip instead of wake his senior officer up.