A woman on a flight from Hong Kong to Australia tried to open an aircraft door in mid-air so she could smoke a cigarette.

The French tourist was seen walking towards the door during the Cathay Pacific flight to Brisbane with an unlit cigarette and a lighter.

She then began tampering with the emergency exit until stopped by a flight attendant.

Sandrine Sellies, aged 34, who has a fear of flying, had drunk alcohol and taken sleeping tablets before take off, Brisbane Magistrates' Court heard.

Defence lawyer Helen Shilton said her client had no memory of what had happened on the flight on Saturday, and that she had a history of sleepwalking.

Sellies pleaded guilty to endangering the safety of an aircraft and was given a 12-month A$1,000 (HK$5,800) good behaviour bond - she will forfeit the money if she commits another offence.

She was at the start of a three-week Australian holiday with her husband, reports the Melbourne Herald Sun.