A Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) flight from Oslo to Málaga had to make an unexpected landing after a passenger discovered a mouse in their meal, the airline confirmed on September 20.
The unusual incident took place on September 18, prompting the flight to divert to Copenhagen for safety reasons. Jarle Borrestad, a passenger on the flight, shared the shocking experience on Facebook, writing: “Believe it or not, a lady next to me opened her food and a mouse jumped out.” His post included a photo of himself smiling with two other passengers from the flight.
Airlines take the presence of rodents on board very seriously due to the risk they pose, particularly the potential for chewing through electrical wiring, which is critical for aircraft operations.
SAS spokesperson Øystein Schmidt explained that the situation was managed according to the airline’s established procedures. “A new aircraft was arranged, and the passengers continued to Málaga without further issues,” Schmidt said, stressing that such events are extremely rare. He added that SAS would review its meal suppliers to prevent similar incidents in the future, reiterating that passenger safety and comfort are top priorities.
Although the mouse posed no immediate danger, the decision to divert the flight was made as a precautionary measure to ensure everyone’s safety. Once a different aircraft was provided, the flight continued without further complications.
This is not the first time a rodent has disrupted a flight. In 2017, a British Airways flight from Heathrow to San Francisco was delayed by four hours after a mouse was spotted, costing the airline around £250,000. Similar incidents have led to grounded flights due to the risks rodents can present, particularly regarding aircraft wiring systems.
Like many airlines, SAS has strict protocols to handle unexpected events, and the presence of rodents is treated seriously due to the potential damage they can cause to essential systems.
Though unusual, the airline’s swift response ensured passengers reached their destination with minimal delay. Unscheduled landings, while rare, can happen for various reasons, not always related to technical issues. For instance, in 2023, a United Airlines flight from Houston to Amsterdam was diverted after a business-class passenger became unruly when his meal choice wasn’t available. In 2017, a Qatar Airways flight was forced to land after a woman discovered her husband’s infidelity mid-flight.
In the case of the SAS flight, the incident highlights that unexpected events can happen even at 30,000 feet. The airline has promised a thorough investigation and steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
