AN elderly woman collapsed and died on a flight between Spain and Southampton.

The 72-year-old was taken ill towards the end of the two-hour Air Europa flight from Alicante on Saturday afternoon.

Police said the woman had complained of feeling unwell on flight number AEA217 and had asked to use the plane's toilet, carrying her medication with her.

A retired nurse and a doctor who were on the plane as passengers went to her aid following an appeal made over the plane's public address system.

However, their efforts were in vain and the woman was certified dead after arrival in Southampton.

Patrick Alexander, Southampton International Airport's marketing manager, confirmed a passenger had died on the inbound Alicante service, which had landed at 1.46pm on Saturday.

An ambulance was called and the woman's body was taken to Southampton General Hospital.

Insp Kerry Macnamara, of Eastleigh police, said the incident was being treated as a sudden death but it was not thought there were any suspicious circumstances.

"It appears a female passenger felt ill as the plane was approaching Southampton," he said.

"A fellow passenger and a doctor tried to assist her but she was later confirmed dead."

It was understood the woman, who has not been named, came from the Southampton area and had been travelling with her husband.

More than 100 passengers were on board Saturday's flight at the time of the drama.