After an alleged quarrel over armrests developed into fighting, two passengers on a US flight flying from San Francisco International Airport were taken off the plane.

The incident occurred on a United Airlines aircraft, and it was originally reported on Twitter by Google product director Jack Krawczyk, who stated it was his "first fly in 15 months." The flight's destination is unknown.

In a tweet, he added, "Of course we were diverted back to the gate because two passengers got into a physical altercation over elbow placement over armrests."

Both guys – who were not identified by police – were held when an officer arrived on the scene, according to a San Francisco police spokeswoman.

Neither were injured and neither sought to "pursue further police action," said police.