Pilot's impromptu treat for passengers after landing was delayed

Passengers on board a flight to Switzerland were treated to a personalised tour of the Alps while their landing was delayed.

The Swiss International Airlines flight, which was flying in from Barcelona, was met with delays and congestion at its destination in Zurich.

So instead of circling overhead, the pilot took a detour of the country's mountains.

“Let me show you the best of Switzerland,” the pilot told passengers over the cabin’s loudspeaker.

Passengers were treated to views of several famous peaks, inluding Matterhorn, Zermatt, Aletch Gletcher, Eiger and Jungfrau.

Lars Jensen, who was on board at the time, posted on Facebook about the spontaneous tour from the skies, saying it was “absolutely extraordinary”.

“I will fly with you again next time,” he said.

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A Swiss Airlines spokesman told Swiss news site swissinfo.ch the pilot had been permitted to fly over the mountains.

“Pilots are permitted to fly different holding patterns (for example over the Alps instead of over the central plateau) if authorised by air traffic control,” he said.

“Safety is always our first priority. However, holding patterns over the Alps do not differ from holding patterns elsewhere in terms of safety or concerning arrival time.”