Ed Sheeran was on a British Airways flight from Miami to Heathrow that was met by armed police after a passenger hurled racist abuse at cabin crew, it has been reported.

The Metropolitan Police arrested a 46-year-old man when the plane landed in London after a male passenger allegedly abused a staff member two hours into the flight.

Another passenger near the outburst on the lower deck of the double-decker claimed the man appeared to have been drinking heavily.

Pop superstar Sheeran was also on the BA flight, but was not near the incident, the Independent reported. MailOnline has contacted the Shape Of You singer for further information.

Ed Sheeran, pictured in New York in September, was reportedly on the BA flight when a passenger allegedly hurled racist abuse at a cabin crew member

The passenger reportedly had to be restrained by a former police officer and two others on the flight before he was taken to a jump seat, usually reserved for cabin crew.

He remained supervised for the remainder of the flight, with the journey continuing as normal to England.

One passenger told the Independent: ‘There was serious racist abuse to an air steward, as well as threatening behaviour. Many people on board were frightened and distressed.’

The Met Police confirmed officers were called to the airport in the early hours of this morning.

File image of a British Airways plane landing at London Heathrow airport

A spokesperson for the Met Police said: ‘At 01:59hrs on Tuesday, 24 October, officers at Heathrow Airport received a report that a passenger on a flight arriving from Miami had made racist comments towards other passengers and crew members.

‘Officers met the aircraft on arrival and a 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence. He remains in custody.’

A British Airways spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Disruptive behaviour will never be tolerated on board our aircraft and we will always take the appropriate action.’