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Snakes on planes: Real incidents of serpents appearing onboard flights

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Snakes on planes: Real incidents of serpents appearing onboard flights
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Real-life events of snakes appearing aboard flights have been documented, evoking memories of the 2006 film "Snakes on a Plane." Though not as theatrical as depicted in the movie, these incidents have caused concern among travelers and airline staff. Snakes have been discovered from overhead compartments to cargo holds, illustrating the complexities airlines face in thwarting such unexpected reptilian visitors.

A well-publicized incident involved a United Airlines Boeing 737 flight to Newark Liberty International Airport. On October 17, 2022, passengers were astonished when a snake appeared onboard after the plane landed. The aircraft, arriving from Tampa International Airport and registered as N27252, had the snake meandering from business to the economy class, causing an outcry and prompting nearby seated passengers to elevate their feet. Crew members informed airport authorities in Newark, who removed the snake after the plane reached its gate. Although flights continued without much disruption, the unexpected event unnerved passengers.

In another case from January 13, 2024, a snake was found in an overhead bin during an AirAsia Thailand flight from Bangkok to Phuket. Passengers recorded the snake dangling from the compartment, which quickly gained viral attention online. Phol Poompuang, Head of Corporate Safety of AirAsia Thailand, commented, “Flight attendants were notified before landing in Phuket after a passenger noticed a small snake in the overhead luggage compartment." Crew members responded by repositioning passengers as a precaution and performing a deep clean and fumigation afterward.

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Deliberate smuggling has also been an issue, such as in a 2018 incident when a man boarded a flight with 20 snakes in his hand luggage from Germany to Russia. According to Newsweek, the snakes were hidden in canisters within the luggage, unnoticed by Düsseldorf security but discovered upon arrival in Moscow. This event tested the capabilities of airport security in preventing illegal wildlife trade, later leading to arrests for breaching international transport laws.

Historically, snakes have found their way into cargo holds by accident. A recent study highlighted in Mashable identified that during World War II, brown tree snakes inadvertently traveled on military planes from Australia to Guam. Associate Professor Bryan Fry noted, “The snake hitchhiked on troop carriers from the Australian region and has since driven multiple native bird species into extinction, with only three species now found on the island.” The U.S. military continues to face challenges with these snakes hitchhiking from Guam to Hawaii.

The Hollywood film "Snakes on a Plane" portrayed these scenarios in an exaggerated fashion, using venomous snakes for dramatic effect. While actual incidents may incite fear, they lack such melodrama and feature non-venomous species. The real danger to aircraft systems from snakes is extremely low.

Airlines have established several preventive measures against such occurrences. Enhanced baggage screening, cargo inspections, stringent animal transport policies, and pest control services at airports aim to avert snake appearances, illustrating the ongoing commitment of the aviation sector to maintain highest safety standards.

Despite these occurrences, instances of snakes on a plane remain uncommon, and airlines work hard to mitigate them. Passengers can generally rest assured that they are unlikely to encounter such an extraordinary sight during their travels.

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