What could’ve been a rodent’s dream getaway turned into a stressful surprise for hundreds of travelers.
A rat was spotted on a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight while the plane was en route from Amsterdam to Aruba. Video obtained by the Dutch outlet Telegraaf showed the animal crawling along curtain rails inside the cabin. According to The Independent, it later added to the commotion by jumping into overhead bins and passenger storage areas.
A typical Amsterdam-to-Aruba flight lasts around 10 hours.
A KLM spokesperson called it “a very exceptional incident.” The airline told RTL Nieuws that it’s still unclear how the rat got onboard, explaining that it was discovered while the aircraft was already over the ocean. “Very unfortunate for the passengers who had to experience this,” the spokesperson said.
Despite the shock, the airline said the “passengers remained calm,” while crew monitored the animal closely. The spokesperson added that the rat “didn’t come near the food.”
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Because of the incident, the return flight scheduled for Dec. 10 from Aruba to Amsterdam via Bonaire was canceled so the aircraft could be thoroughly cleaned before returning to service. The airline acknowledged the disruption was “frustrating and unpleasant” for those affected.
Passengers were provided overnight accommodations as KLM worked to arrange alternative travel options.
Incidents like this aren’t unheard of. In October 2024, Spirit Airlines passengers reported seeing a “super rat” on a flight from Dallas to Los Angeles. The animal was later seen trapped behind a light’s glass paneling in the cabin, with video appearing to show small paws moving behind the cover.
Meanwhile, a loose cat roaming the cabin on a late November flight from Los Angeles to St. Louis reportedly brought some unexpected entertainment to travelers during a busy holiday travel period.
