KUALA LUMPUR: Remember back in 2022 when social media was abuzz with images and videos of a snake "hitch-hiking" a ride from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau onboard a commercial flight?
Well, it looks like it has happened again. This time, a slippery serpent hitched a ride on an AirAsia flight from Bangkok to Phuket on Jan 13.
In the incident captured by TikTok user @wannabnailssalon, the snake was spotted trying to make its getaway in the cabin's overhead compartment of an AirAsia Airbus A320.
Passengers who were seated below quickly moved out of their seats to the aisle, while others whipped out their phones to film the situation.
In the minute-long video, which has garnered over 3.4 million views in a matter of days, a cabin crew member was seen calmly trying to capture the snake with an empty plastic water bottle.
However, capturing the snake proved to be a challenge when it slithered away when it came into contact with the bottle.
Later, the same crew member used a plastic bag and gently pushed the snake into it.
According to local media, upon capturing the snake, it was stored away in a cupboard until the aircraft landed safely at Phuket International Airport.
Ground staff at the airport quickly boarded the plane and swiftly took the snake away for further action.
Before disembarkation, passengers' carry-ons were searched to ensure that no other animals were smuggled on the flight.
Some of the comments left on the TikTok account pointed to security flaws during the check-in process.
Sok LaLa asked, "How did it get into the plane? Everyone must go through a security scan check."
Others quickly linked the incident to the 2006 Hollywood movie Snakes on the Plane, starring Samuel L. Jackson and Rachel Blanchard.
"Omg!!! It reminds me of a film, 'Snakes on the Plane'," wrote user @debonairchang.
His comment was swiftly followed by @bushlerchan, who wrote, "This is such snakes on the plane moment."
The snake was later identified as a Blanford's bridle snake, a species that is non-venomous.
Now everyone (including snakes) can fly!