A pilot flying from Germany to Spain experienced a frightening mid-air incident when he was bitten by a tarantula inside the cockpit.
The incident took place on Friday afternoon aboard an Iberia Airbus A320, which was en route from Düsseldorf, Germany, to Madrid’s Barajas Airport.
Following the bite, the pilot, allergic to spiders, received anti-inflammatory treatment, and the aircraft was delayed for fumigation before continuing its journey.
Investigations suggest that the spider may have boarded the aircraft during a previous stopover in Casablanca, Morocco, earlier that week. After the situation was handled, passengers had to wait for several hours before the plane was cleared to depart for Vigo.
A spokesperson for Iberia Airlines confirmed that the pilot is recovering well after receiving medical attention in Madrid.
The aircraft had previously travelled through Brussels, Zurich, and Toulouse, raising concerns that the spider may have been on board for multiple flights.
Even after fumigation, some passengers reportedly remained wary of their surroundings, fearing that additional spiders might still be present on the plane, according to La Voz de Galicia.
Rodents Delay Flight in Separate Incident
In an unrelated aviation incident, a plane was grounded for five days last November after over 130 hamsters escaped from their cages in the cargo hold.
The disruption occurred after maintenance workers attempted to round up the rodents, which had chewed through electrical wiring, creating safety concerns.
Baggage handlers discovered the damaged cages upon the Airbus 320’s arrival in Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores archipelago on São Miguel Island.
Hamsters’ continuously growing teeth, which are more complex than lead, aluminium, iron, and copper, make them prone to gnawing through various materials, posing a significant hazard.
Cat Takes Unplanned Train Journey to London
Meanwhile, a more lighthearted travel story unfolded when a curious cat took an unexpected 17-mile train journey from Surrey to central London.
The feline, named Tilly, was later reunited with her owner, Michael Hardy, 52, from Weybridge, who had to travel to Waterloo Station in London to bring her home.
Tilly has become a local celebrity in her hometown, often roaming through pubs and schools. This was not her first adventure—she had previously been known to hop onto buses and Ubers, but this marked her longest trip yet.
