An airplane passenger allegedly vomited all over a family sitting near her before spitting wine on them and eventually passing out.

The captain on the British Airways flight from Heathrow to San Diego on August 12-13 was forced to call officers on the other side to request they meet the plane when it landed.

FBI operatives arrested the woman, described as the 'ultimate passenger from hell' by other customers, on the flight's arrival in California.

Fellow travellers and British Airways staff provided statements to officers and the affected family are currently assisting in the investigation.

Stunned passengers had first spotted the woman downing a bottle of wine she had snuck into the cabin on Flight BA273 in her hand luggage, The Sun reports.