SNAKE ON A PLANE! And It’s NOT a Movie!

A routine Virgin Australia flight was derailed on July 1, 2025, when a stowaway green tree snake slithered into the cargo hold, triggering a two‑hour delay and safety scare.

At a Glance

•  The incident unfolded at Melbourne Airport as passengers boarded Flight VA337 to Brisbane.

•  A 60‑cm green tree snake, native to Queensland, was discovered in the dark cargo compartment.

•  Snake catcher Mark Pelley responded within 30 minutes and safely removed the reptile on his first attempt.

•  The flight was grounded for about two hours but resumed once the snake was contained.

•  Quarantine laws prevented wild release—the snake was given to a Melbourne vet for rehoming.

Tense Hold‑Down In Cargo

Passengers were preparing for departure when ground crew alerted cabin staff to a slithering intruder in the hold. Cabin crew closed the cargo door and summoned professional help. Snake catcher Mark Pelley arrived after a security delay, entered the dim compartment, and carefully retrieved the snake. “I thought it might be venomous until I caught it,” Pelley later said, given Australia’s reputation for dangerous snakes. Fortunately, it was harmless—but if it had escaped deeper into the plane’s structure, engineers feared a full evacuation and disassembly would be required (wbaltv.com, indianexpress.com).

Watch a report: Snake on a plane delays a flight in Australia
YouTube

Aftermath & Aviation Alert

Once subdued, the aircraft was cleared, and passengers eventually took off two hours late. The snake’s origin is believed to be a passenger’s luggage from Brisbane. Because wildlife regulations barred its release, the reptile was placed with a licensed keeper via a local vet. Flight safety experts note that while cargo holds are rarely inspected for fauna, this incident highlights that even hidden wildlife can ground aircraft—and that quick action by trained