‘High frequency flying’: Nail-biting moment lightning strikes plane mid-air with terrified passengers on board

'Lightning never strikes twice' must have been the adage that was repeating inside the minds of terrified passengers on board an aircraft that was struck by lightning during a violent thunderstorm.

The incredible footage was uploaded to social media after it was shot by stunned onlookers to the potentially disastrous event.

The amateur footage was filmed by grateful voyeurs who had their feet firmly planted on the ground at the time the destructive storm rolled into London.

Huge strikes of lightning can be seen cracking loudly in the sky before a large passenger plane is eventually hit.

"Just popped out on High Street Kensington to see a plane on approach to Heathrow being hit by lightning," a clearly stunned Stuart Fraser posted on Twitter.

In one clip, a plane can be seen flying dangerously close to a super-charged lightning bolt as it approaches Heathrow.

Another witness to the unusual event, Sam Van Tilburgh, posted: "This plane nearly took a massive lightning strike landing at Heathrow."

In another clip on social media a different passenger plane flying low over London flies into the middle of a terrifyingly bright lightning bolt.

"Just witnessed lightning strike a plane over Putney. Would not want to be flying into Heathrow right now," Chris Jones added on social media.

Heathrow and Gatwick airports have reported that several airlines were forced to delay the departures of planes due to the weather, according to Express.co.uk.

However, spokespeople for the airports confirmed to several media outlets that any delays to departures were decided "by airlines only" and not the airports themselves.

According to Gatwick Airport, "airlines decide when to take off during bad conditions" reported the Express.co.uk.

The unseasonable, unpredictable and wicked weather in London comes after short bursts of snow, hail, rain and sunshine over the past week.

"Thunderstorms don't normally bother me but the one over Peckham right now is quite scary. Don't think I've seen lightning that bright!" a Twitter user called Kate wrote.

Another terrified onlooker admitted to seeing "lightning strike six times in the last hour in West London".

News break – April 28