A passenger on a British Airways flight had to be restrained after trying to open either the emergeny exit or enter the cockpit, it has been confirmed. Police said the passenger was "an intoxicated woman" aged in her 30s, with no known links to terrorism.

There was some initial confusion as to whether the passenger had sought to enter the cockpit, or open an emergency exit. Either way, airline staff were sufficiently concerned that they requested that police meet the plane at Boston, a BA spokeswoman said.

"Our customers and crew deserve to have a safe and enjoyable flight and we do not tolerate abusive behaviour," she told The Independent.

​"Our crew have requested that police meet the flight in Boston due to an unruly customer on board."

Local media said the incident happened on British Airways flight 213 from London to Boston.

The Massachusetts State police said they met the flight at Logan at 1.30pm. The MSP said on Twitter that the passenger was a woman.