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In an unexpected twist that sounds more like a scene from a cartoon than an international flight, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) had to make an emergency landing on Wednesday.
The culprit? A mouse that scurried out of a passenger’s in-flight meal, creating an onboard ruckus and forcing the plane to divert its course.
No, This Isn’t a ‘Mouse-Take’: SAS Flight Grounds Over Tiny Stowaway
The flight, originally en route from Oslo, Norway, to sunny Malaga, Spain, had its plans derailed when the unexpected guest made its surprise debut mid-flight.
The plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Copenhagen, Denmark. According to airline spokesperson Oystein Schmidt, this decision was made to adhere to company procedures that prioritize safety—especially when dealing with rodents that pose a risk to aircraft systems, particularly its wiring.
After all, no one wants a mouse chewing through cables at 35,000 feet.
“We have strict protocols for situations like this,” Schmidt explained to the AFP news agency. “It’s rare, but we’re not willing to take any chances.”
An Extra Leg to the Journey—But, Hey, It’s Not the End of the Tail!
Passengers, though likely surprised, remained calm during the rodent-related diversion.
One traveler, Jarle Borrestad, recounted his experience to BBC News. He explained that the mouse emerged from the food container of a fellow passenger, but the situation never reached full-blown panic. In a moment of humor, Borrestad admitted he tucked his socks over his trousers, hoping to avoid any unwanted leg-crawling action.
Despite the unexpected hiccup, Borrestad said the delay only added a few hours to the trip.
After landing in Copenhagen, passengers were transferred to another plane to complete their journey to Malaga.
No word on the fate of the mouse, though we’re guessing it didn’t receive frequent flyer miles for the trip.
It’s a Squeaky Clean Issue—SAS Promises It Won’t Happen Again
SAS assured its customers that they’re working with suppliers to ensure the mouse mystery doesn’t repeat itself. “We’re reviewing the incident closely,” said Schmidt.
While rodents onboard may be rare, the airline has procedures in place to handle such situations—though it’s safe to say they don’t expect to need them often.
Rodent Wrangling—Not Just for the Skies
As if one rodent incident wasn’t enough, this comes on the heels of another critter-fueled transportation mishap in southern England.
Earlier this week, a train had to be stopped mid-journey after two squirrels boarded a carriage and refused to disembark.
Our furry friends have decided public transportation is the way to travel this week.
When Rodents Fly—A Rare but Risky Occurrence
Airlines, including SAS, are understandably cautious about rodents in the cabin, as they can chew through electrical wiring, causing safety hazards. While it may seem like a small issue—no pun intended—the potential damage could be significant.
And for the record, Scandinavian Airlines wants you to know: this is one “tail” they don’t expect to repeat anytime soon.
Source: Original reporting by the BBC