Woman dragged off US flight for skipping check-in

A woman has been dragged off a US plane like a ragdoll in front a crowd of stunned passengers after she reportedly forced her way onto the flight.

Video taken by a passenger on Monday morning shows a uniformed officer holding the woman by her arms and dragging her flat on her back along the aisle of a Delta airlines flight after she closed her eyes and refused to budge from a seat, CBS Detroit reports.

An unconfirmed report by Airlive.net claims the incident occurred after the woman "blew by the gate agent without checking in".

When confronted by flight staff she allegedly became "mouthy" and was described by the anonymous witness as disgruntled with "a huge attitude".

Delta Airlines media manager Erica Donerson told WWJ Newsradio 950 that officers were called aboard the flight as a last resort.

"Delta Air Lines contacted Detroit Metropolitan Airport’s police department requesting assistance with a passenger who would not comply with boarding and baggage check procedures at a McNamara Terminal gate," Donerson said.

"When officers arrived, Delta Air Lines stated the woman could not remain on board. Despite repeated requests by officers, the woman refused to leave the aircraft and had to be removed. She was arrested and charges are pending."

The woman was arrested at the airport and is awaiting charges.

Delta said the flight from Detroit to San Diego was only briefly delayed.