A stowaway cat gave a South American pilot the surprise of his life when it emerged, clinging to the wing of a plane, mid-flight.

Romain Jantot embarked on a standard flight at Kourou airport in French Guiana when, minutes after taking off, he and his passenger turned to see the cat clinging to the light plane's wing.

A video posted to YouTube captured the moment Mr Jantot and his passenger realised they were carrying the furry cargo.

The cat crawled forward and managed to cling to the wing's frame until the plane landed, before bounding to safety.

Mr Jantot said he was not sure how the cat got on board, but said the animal was fine and had become the flight school mascot.