A Delta Air Lines jet was diverted to Louisiana, escorted by two F-16 jets, yesterday after a passenger passed a threatening note to a flight attendant, authorities said.
The Boeing 757 with 148 people aboard, flying from Atlanta to Los Angeles, landed safely at Shreveport Regional Airport, where the passenger was arrested by FBI agents, US Attorney spokeswoman Ms Vicki Chance said.
"The passenger handed a threatening note to the flight attendant, she alerted the pilot, and he requested clearance to land here in Shreveport," Ms Chance said.
Ms Chance said the man, who she believed was a US citizen, was being questioned by FBI agents and would likely face federal charges of interfering with a flight crew.
She said it was not immediately clear if the man was subdued on the aircraft by crew members or other passengers and that she did not know the nature of the threat.
Delta spokeswoman Ms Cindi Kurczewski said the other 138 passengers remained on board the plane and continued on to Los Angeles after refuelling.