A transatlantic jet has made an emergency landing at Shannon Airport after smoke was detected in the cockpit.

British Airways flight 177 was en route from London to New York and was about 100 kilometres southwest of Cork when the crew declared an emergency.

The Boeing 777 jet, with 220 passengers and crew on board, diverted to Shannon where it landed safely at 2.35.

Airport emergency services were standing by to meet flight and were backed up by local authority fire units from Shannon and Ennis as well as HSE ambulances.

Engineers are currently investigating the cause of the smoke.

It's not yet clear however whether the flight will continue it's journey this evening.

No one was injured in the incident.