An El Al flight from Tel Aviv to London had to make an emergency landing in Athens after a passenger suffered a suspected heart attack.

El Al head office confirmed that the 10.15am flight from Tel Aviv to London was diverted to the Greek capital after the passenger became ill.

The passenger was treated onboard the flight by the El Al crew, and was hospitalised in Athens. The passenger is reportedly still in hospital, in a serious condition.

El Al head office denied rumours the passenger had died on board the plane.

The flight was detained in Greece for three-and-a-half hours but took off again later that afternoon, landing in London at 4pm.