Live snake found in overhead bin on AirAsia flight

Passengers aboard an AirAsia Thailand flight from Bangkok to Phuket experienced a surprising turn of events when a live snake was discovered in an overhead luggage bin, as reported by CNN on January 13, Flight FD3015. A video circulating on TikTok, shared by Malaysian news outlet UtusanTV, captures the unsettling moment as a small snake slithers above the overhead bin. The footage depicts a flight attendant attempting to capture the snake initially with a water bottle, later resorting to a garbage bag. Responding to the incident, Phol Poompuang, the head of corporate safety for the airline, assured CNN that such occurrences are exceptionally rare, emphasizing the airline’s well-trained staff in handling such situations. As a precautionary measure, specific passengers were relocated, and the flight continued without further incident. Following landing, the aircraft underwent a thorough inspection by engineering and safety teams. CNN reports that the airline conducted a deep clean and fumigation before resuming operations. Despite these measures, the specific snake species remains unidentified. In a reminiscent twist, TikTok users referenced the 2006 movie “Snakes on a Plane,” drawing parallels to the bizarre incident. Notably, the airline did not immediately respond to Business Insider’s request for confirmation regarding the video’s authenticity. This incident echoes a prior occurrence reported by BI, where a South African pilot made a mid-flight emergency landing due to a deadly cobra slithering nearby. The unsettling nature of these events highlights the challenges airlines may encounter during routine flights.