Onboard animals aren’t an uncommon sight on US flights – in the past passengers have tried to bring peacocks, pigs and even an emotional support squirrel onto the plane.
But it was with some surprise that a bat starting flying around during a US flight, terrifying passengers and causing mayhem onboard.
The bat was discovered around half an hour into the Spirit Airlines flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Newark, New Jersey, according to ABC News.
Footage filmed by passenger Peter Scattini show people screaming and flight attendants ducking for cover.
One passenger even appears to hide in the bathroom to escape the nocturnal animal.
Users commented that it was an “emotional support bat” and that the extra passenger was no surprise as “the airline is named ‘Spirit’.”
Another video shows passengers commenting: “It’s the Batmobile.”
The bat was eventually captured and held safely until the end of the flight.
It’s not the first time an unexpected animal has been discovered mid-flight.
In January, a mynah bird was discovered onboard a flight from Singapore to the UK.
The bird, native to southern Asia, was found around 12 hours into the Singapore Airlines flight to London, which usually takes 14 hours.
The feathery passenger had good taste: it appeared in the business class cabin.
