LOS ANGELES - AN American Airlines passenger jet was diverted in mid-flight after a passenger stripped naked and later attempted to open an emergency exit, it was reported.

ABC7 television on Friday quoted passengers on the Boston to Los Angeles flight as saying that the unidentified man had undressed in one of the plane's bathrooms before emerging in the cabin, naked.

A steward ordered the man to return to the bathroom and get dressed which he did, passenger Michael Burns told ABC7.

But shortly after returning to his seat the man got up again and lunged for the emergency exit before being restrained by fellow passengers, including members of the New England Revolution Major League Soccer team, reports said.

'(The man) went for the emergency exit door and that's when we all, there were four of us that stood up and just tried to pull him back,' added Mr Burns, an official with the New England Revolution.

The plane was diverted to Oklahoma City where the man was arrested. The plane then continued its journey to Los Angeles. -- AFP