A spectacular and beautiful cloud formation was spotted in the skies above Australia by a passenger on an aeroplane.

Ilya Katsman, 22, saw the phenomenon on a Virgin Australia flight from Perth to Adelaide.

A spokesperson from the Met office explained to The Telegraph that the cloud is of a type commonly seen in Australian skies, but they are rarely as beautifully distinctive as this example.

Ms Katsmann wrote on Instagram: "The most unique cloud formation I have seen to date on route from Perth to Adelaide somewhere over The Great Australian Bite".

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Virgin Australia posted a selection of photographs, writing: "Flying above the clouds has never looked this good! These incredible cloud formations were seen on board VA714 from Perth to Adelaide."

A Met Office spokesperson explained the cloud to The Telegraph.

He said: "In terms of how they form, it's about air rising, cooling and then descending again.

"They're most commonly seen in Australia and are most commonly associated with sea breeze condensation.

Photo / Supplied via Instagram: @theonlyilya

"The rising, cooling and falling of atmospheric waves creates the thin strips of clouds.

"This cloud is quite a graphic demonstration of it."

These clouds could be seen in the UK, but are rarer here.

The Met office spokesperson said: "We have seen them in the UK before, but not as commonly".

Clouds such as these are locally known as 'morning glory'.