AN America-bound British Airways plane returned to London today and another was diverted away from New York after the latest US aircraft disaster.

Flight BA185 had been heading for Newark in New Jersey when the American Airlines aircraft went down in the Queen's area of New York.

This plane is now on its way back to Heathrow.

BA also diverted flight BA117, which had been travelling from Heathrow to Kennedy airport in New York, to Boston in Massachusetts.

BA said none of its other planes due to fly today from London to New York or Newark had left London, but that Concorde, which had left Heathrow for New York at around 10.30am today, had landed safely at Kennedy airport at 2.25pm UK time.

The airline added that it was not yet known whether Concorde's return flight to London tonight would go ahead.

Also, no decision had been made on BA flights due to leave Newark and New York for London later today.

BA said passengers wanting information about flights to and from New York and Newark should ring a helpline number - 0845 7799 977.