KLM canceled a Dec. 10 return flight from Aruba to Amsterdam via Bonaire after a rat was spotted aboard, disrupting travel for more than 250 passengers. The carrier described the incident as “frustrating and unpleasant,” said the aircraft would undergo a thorough cleaning, and provided overnight accommodation while rebooking affected travelers. Video shows the rodent crawling on curtain rails and entering overhead bins; KLM said it did not come near food. Similar animal stowaway incidents were reported on other recent flights.
Rodent Onboard: Rat Forces KLM To Cancel Transatlantic Return, Disrupts 250+ Travelers
Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty; GettyKLM Airlines; a rat
A rat discovered aboard a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines aircraft disrupted travel for more than 250 passengers and forced the cancellation of a return flight from Aruba to Amsterdam via Bonaire.
KLM called the episode “frustrating and unpleasant,” and said the safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew remain its top priorities. The airline said the aircraft would be thoroughly cleaned before returning to service and that affected passengers were provided overnight accommodation while alternate flights were arranged.
What Happened
The rodent was first seen while the long-haul aircraft was en route to Aruba. Video obtained by Dutch outlet De Telegraaf shows the animal moving along curtain rails in the cabin; other reports say the rat also jumped into overhead bins and passengers’ storage compartments. KLM told RTL Nieuws the animal was discovered while the plane was over the ocean, and it remained unclear how the rodent boarded the flight.
GettyStock photo of an airplane cabin
A KLM spokesperson said passengers “remained calm, and the staff kept a close eye on the animal,” adding that the rat “didn’t come near the food.” As a precaution, the return service scheduled for Dec. 10 from Aruba to Amsterdam via Bonaire was canceled so the jet could be cleaned and cleared for service.
Aftermath and Context
More than 250 travelers were affected by the cancellation and rebooking. KLM arranged overnight stays for those impacted while it worked to rebook passengers. People magazine contacted KLM for further comment but did not receive an immediate response.
This incident is one of several recent animal-related disruptions on commercial flights. In October 2024, passengers on a Spirit Airlines flight spotted what was dubbed a “super rat” inside a cabin light fixture on a Dallas–Los Angeles route. In late November, a loose cat roaming the cabin of a flight between Los Angeles and St. Louis drew widespread attention and amused travelers during a busy holiday period.
Key takeaway: The flight was grounded and cleaned as a safety and hygiene precaution after a rodent was seen in the cabin; KLM is assisting affected passengers while investigations continue into how the animal came aboard.
