Two RAF jets were scrambled to escort a passenger plane back to Stansted Airport after a woman reportedly tried to storm the cockpit.
Witnesses claim passengers and crew were forced to restrain the woman, who Jet2 said became “extremely disruptive” after the plane took off on Saturday evening.
Photos and video posted online show a woman being held down as she shouts and screams.
Essex Police confirmed a woman was arrested on suspicion of assault and endangering an aircraft.
Amy Varol, who was on the plane, told The Sun: "This lady who was clearly intoxicated gets called to the front of the plane and she starts shouting and screaming and runs to the plane door.
"The cabin crew grabbed her to stop her and then she starts scratching them and hitting them.
"She then got pinned to the floor by cabin crew and passengers."
Jet2 said the plane, which was 45 minutes into its journey to Dalaman in Turkey, was forced to return to Stansted after a passenger became disruptive.
The two Typhoon fighter aircraft caused a sonic boom in the area as the plane was escorted back to Stansted, prompting people to call 999 as they feared there had been an explosion.
One man described the noise as a "huge bang" which "nearly blew my window out".
Bishop's Stortford police tweeted: "Large number of 999 calls coming in about a loud explosion. We have liaised with @EssexPoliceUK who are confirming that this is a sonic boom from a passing aircraft."
A Jet2 spokeswoman said: "We are aware of an incident regarding an extremely disruptive passenger on a flight from Stansted to Dalaman earlier this evening.
"The aircraft has returned safely and we are liaising with the relevant authorities to support their investigation.
"We are working hard to ensure the remaining customers reach their destination as soon possible."
An Essex Police spokeswoman said: "We were made aware of a disruptive passenger on an inbound flight to Stansted this evening, Saturday June 22.
"There is a possibility that residents nearby may have heard a loud noise, often associated with a sonic boom, as the aircraft descended into Stansted airspace.
"Officers attended and arrested a 25-year-old woman on suspicion of two assaults and endangering an aircraft. She remains in custody."
A Royal Air Force spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that RAF quick reaction alert Typhoon aircraft from RAF Coningsby scrambled to escort a commercial flight into Stansted shortly after take-off due to reports of a disruptive passenger."
