The United States has tightened security on all fights from abroad.

Passengers flying to the US can expect to be searched extensively. In most cases there will be spot checks, but on flights from 14 "terror-linked" countries, all passengers will be checked.

There is no official list of these countries, but Cuba, Iran, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen are believed to be included.

The measures follow the failed attempt to blow up a plane travelling from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas Day.

Extra security measures are also being introduced in a number of European airports. Great Britain is following the example of the Netherlands and Italy and is introducing body scans. Other European countries are considering following suit.

Photo: Airport lounge - Flickr/Soon