Move over, Samuel L. Jackson—real life just took a page out of the movie script!
Passengers and crew aboard a Virgin Australia flight from Melbourne to Brisbane were left stunned when a snake made a surprise appearance shortly before takeoff. The creature was discovered lurking inside the cargo hold of the aircraft, creating panic and causing a temporary delay as experts raced to handle the situation.
The story, photos, and videos have since gone viral, sparking everything from concern to laughter online.
What Really Happened?
On Monday, July 1, 2025, Virgin Australia Flight VA337 was preparing to depart Melbourne when the flight crew noticed unexpected movement within the cargo section. Upon inspection, a green tree snake—measuring approximately 60 centimeters long—was found slithering calmly inside the cargo hold area.
Rather than take any chances, the crew quickly sealed off the area and called in reinforcements.
“There was a literal snake on a plane,” one airport worker was heard saying in a now-viral TikTok video. “You can’t make this stuff up!”
Enter the Hero: The Snake Hunter
To handle the situation, authorities brought in none other than Mark Pelley, famously known in Australia as “The Snake Hunter.” Pelley safely removed the non-venomous snake using his expert gear, ensuring no passengers or crew were harmed.
According to reports, the snake was later released into a safe environment, and the plane underwent a thorough inspection and cleaning before finally taking off with a 2-hour delay.
The Video That Shook the Internet
As expected, the footage of the snake being retrieved and the cool, calm response by the crew and snake handler has been circulating across Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and even major news outlets.
One viral caption read:
“When life gives you snakes… call a snake hunter before takeoff!”
Another user joked:
“This is why I fly with snacks, not snakes.”
What Kind of Snake Was It?
The intruder was identified as a green tree snake, a species native to Australia. It is non-venomous, relatively harmless to humans, and often gets into human spaces while seeking shelter or food.
Still, even though it wasn’t dangerous, the incident was taken very seriously due to potential risks in an enclosed aircraft setting.
Virgin Australia Responds
Virgin Australia released a statement praising the alertness of their ground crew and the quick actions taken:
“The safety of our guests and crew is always our top priority. We commend our team for their prompt response, and we thank our passengers for their patience and understanding.”
REACTION
From memes to movie references, social media exploded with reactions:
“Samuel L. Jackson warned us years ago.”
“Australia never disappoints with wildlife drama.”
“The snake probably wanted a window seat!”
CONCLUSION
This real-life “snakes on a plane” incident may not have involved mid-air drama or high-speed chases, but it definitely gave passengers and aviation enthusiasts a moment to remember. Thanks to fast-acting professionals, the situation was resolved smoothly and the green guest was given a safe new home.
One thing’s for sure: next time you fly, you might want to peek under your seat… just in case.
A domestic flight in Australia was delayed for nearly two hours after a green snake was found in the cargo hold of the plane. A snake catcher was called to remove the reptile, which turned out to be harmless. pic.twitter.com/TgY3r3OqY4
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) July 2, 2025
