Arab diplomat sparks terror scare by smoking on US plane

US fighter jets were scrambled after an Arab diplomat trying to smoke in a plane lavatory caused a major terror alert.

Air marshals on the flight from Washington to Denver confronted the man, who joked that he had been trying to light his shoes — a reference to the 2001 "shoe bomber" Richard Reid.

"He mouthed off to them, making a tense, stupid situation worse," said a source.

No explosives were found on the man, the third secretary at the Qatari embassy in Washington. The plane landed safely as USAF jets were scrambled.

The diplomat was being questioned by the FBI. A Qatari official identified the man as Mohammed al-Madidi, who is believed to be 27 years old with full diplomatic immunity.

Passenger Mei Turcotte, 26, of Montana, said she smelt smoke about an hour into the flight. She said she later looked out of the window and saw two jets flying alongside the plane.

"I'm in the sky a lot, and I was thinking that might not be so normal," she said.

Another passenger, 61-year-old Scott Smith of Wyoming, said: "The approach into Denver was unusual. We came in rather fast, and we were flying low for a long period of time. I've never seen a jetliner do that. There were no announcements, nothing about your carryon bags or tray tables."

Once on the ground, Mr Smith said, the pilot announced that "we have a situation here on the plane".