Airline apologises after cockroach was seen in magazine pocket

An airline has apologised after a ''pesticide-restistant'' cockroach was seen scurrying across the plane's magazine pocket.

The large, dark red insect was filmed onboard a Thai Boeing 777 flying from Hokkaido, Japan, to Bangkok, Thailand, on August 31.

A shocked passenger noticed the creepy-crawlie as it walked across the flight safety instructions then disappeared back inside its unlikely home in economy class.

The flyer, who would only be named as ''Jane'', said that the insect was only a short leap from her meal during the TG671 flight.

She said: ''A cockroach snuck inside the plane in Bangkok and flew to Hokkaido for free.''

The bug entered the plane in Thailand, where cockroaches are common, and was onboard for the flight to Japan, which is too cold for them, and flew back again.

It's not known how long the cockroach had been inside the plane but Thai Airways apologised for the incident and claimed the bug had become ''resistant'' to insect spray.

Thai Airways Director Chalermphol Kaewchinporn has now instructed cleaners to stick their hands into the pockets to check for insects.

He said: ''I assume the cockroach has become resistant to the spray but we’ve ordered a new pesticide.

''All the planes will be sprayed and cleaners will pay more attention to details and ensure that no scraps of food are left on the plane.''

A statement from the company said the aircraft had since undergone a ''deep clean'' in line with its scheduled maintenance.