The woman, a Russian passport holder somewhere between 55 and 60 years old, is awaiting deportation to the United States following her arrival in France without a visa, CNN reports.

The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says the woman completed security checks, but somehow bypassed two identify verification and boarding status stations.

The Delta Airlines flight was completely full and the woman switched between toilets at either end of the plane for the duration of the seven-hour flight.

A video recorded by a passenger captures an announcement over the tannoy after the plane landed in France: “Folks, this is the captain, we are just waiting for the police to come on board. They may be here now and they directed us to keep everyone on the airplane until we sort out the extra passenger that’s on the plane.”

A spokesperson for Delta Airlines said: “Nothing is of greater importance than matters of safety and security.

“That’s why Delta is conducting an exhaustive investigation of what may have occurred and will work collaboratively with other aviation stakeholders and law enforcement to that end.”