Snoring passenger causes flight delay

A woman has been kicked off a plane for poking a snoring passenger with a pen, causing a two hour hold-up.

(AAP Image/Julian Smith)

A passenger aboard a Southwest Airlines flight from Chicago to New Hampshire has been removed after allegedly poking a snoring passenger with a pen.

Airline officials say the woman was removed on Thursday for "causing a disturbance".

The Chicago Fire Department was called to evaluate the man.

Southwest spokeswoman Brandy King said in a statement that the man was not injured.

He continued on the flight to Manchester, New Hampshire, which was scheduled to leave Chicago's Midway International Airport but was delayed for almost two hours.

King said the woman who was removed was put on another flight.