Those involved were removed from the aircraft, which was due to travel from Gatwick to Belfast, BBC News reports.

TV presenter Dan Lobb, who was travelling on flight EZY835 on Wednesday afternoon, described the row as "really unprofessional".

He said he was sitting at the front of the aircraft and overheard a member of staff explaining the disagreement to the crew’s manager.

"We were just taxiing towards the runway when one of the crew approached the front to complain about another," Lobb told BBC News.

"It sounded like the disagreement was over the way one staff member was packaging or storing bottles of water.

"It was something really petty.

"The manager told them to try and make it up and get on with their jobs, but a few minutes later, the crew member came back to the front and said: ’It’s all kicked off again.’"

Easyjet has apologised for the delay.

It said: "The safety and welfare of our passengers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority.

"In order to deliver this, cabin crew need to be able to work as a team."

Lobb continued: "The pilot then came out and apologised for the situation, he said he admitted it was a little bit silly, but said that passenger safety was paramount.

"The fallout seemed really unprofessional - we’ve all worked with people we don’t get on with."

On Thursday easyJet said it was investigating the incident.