Flight diverted after man 'tries to kiss sleeping teenage girl'

A 23-year-old man was arrested after the plane was diverted to Seattle

The man was arrested for fourth-degree assault after the plane was diverted to Seattle (Gillfoto/Creative Commons)

An Alaska Airlines flight from Portland to Anchorage in the US was diverted after a man attempted to kiss a sleeping 16-year-old girl.

After the incident was reported to the pilot, the passengers were separated and the plane was diverted to Seattle-Tacoma Airport.

The man, 23, whose name has not been released by officials, was sitting next to the girl and allegedly attempted to kiss her while she was asleep, a spokesman for the airport said.

Once the plane landed the man was arrested for fourth-degree assault.

The girl remained on board the plane, and continued her journey to Anchorage.

The incident follows the arrest of a 26-year-old man who “repeatedly groped” a 13-year-old girl on an American airlines flight last week.

The girl’s parents allege that the airline failed to take swift action to prevent the abuse, which reportedly went on for 30 minutes.