Boy slips past security at Heathrow and boards British Airways flight to Los Angeles

Police are investigating how a 12-year-old boy slipped past Heathrow Airport security and boarded a flight without a ticket.

The boy, who was not travelling with any adults, was spotted by British Airways cabin crew who asked to see his boarding pass in order to direct him to his seat.

Passengers reported seeing police and sniffer dogs after they were asked to leave the plane to carry out a second security check.

Rachel Richardson said the flight left for Los Angeles nearly five hours after its scheduled time.

“So I survived my six hour wait at Heathrow but am now delayed on the tarmac because a young boy made his way onto our plane - BA269 - without a ticket. Big security breach. So much fun for everyone on board. We were meant to take off at 4.15pm. It’s nearly 6pm,” she tweeted.

She later wrote: “Current situation: Off the plane. Tonnes of police with sniffer dogs here. We are in a queue. Unclear what for.”

“Hey @British_Airways thank you for putting our safety first but it’s totally chaotic here as an entire plane goes back through security. Very little information from staff. Be thankful that the #DjokovicFederer nailbiter is keeping some of us amused,” she added.

Scotland Yard said it is working to establish how the boy managed to slip past security without being noticed.

The Telegraph reported one theory that he was a transit passenger who arrived at Heathrow with a ticket to an onward destination and had been challenged to see how far he could get as part of an elaborate dare.

“A 12-year-old boy boarded a BA flight from Heathrow to Los Angeles at around 1715hrs on 14 July,” police said in a statement.

“He was identified by cabin crew during pre-flight checks. He did not have a ticket or any travel documents.

“The boy was an unaccompanied minor. He is not a UK national.

“As a security precaution, passenger de-planed following a discussion between police and the captain.

“The child is believed to have arrived at Heathrow as a transit passenger.”

British Airways said security was a top priority.

“We have apologised to our customers for the delay to their flight after an issue during boarding.

“The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our top priority and everyone who had boarded the aircraft had been subject to security checks.

“We conducted additional precautionary screening as soon as this issue came to light and we are assisting the police with their enquiries.”

A Heathrow spokesperson said: “We are working with our police colleagues and British Airways to understand how an unauthorised passenger boarded the incorrect aircraft.

“The individual did not represent a security risk and, purely as a precaution, the aircraft in question was re-screened and has since departed.

“We apologise for the disruption and will continue working closely with the authorities and our airline partners to keep the airport safe.”