A JetBlue passenger recorded a rodent running along cabin light fixtures above an overhead bin during a flight from Los Angeles to Turks and Caicos via JFK on June 12. The clip, filmed by her 13-year-old son and shared on Instagram, has more than one million views. JetBlue has removed the aircraft from service, offered the passenger a refund and said such incidents are rare. A similar rodent sighting occurred on a KLM flight to Aruba in December.
Viral Video Shows Rat Scurrying Along JetBlue Cabin Lights; Airline Removes Plane, Issues Refund
‘Disgusted’ JetBlue Passenger Spots a ‘Rat in the Lights’ as Rodent Scurries Below Overhead Bin: WATCH
A passenger aboard a JetBlue flight captured a startling moment when a rodent was seen running along the blue light fixtures beneath an overhead bin. The footage—filmed by passenger Brittney Brimway’s 13-year-old son—was posted to Instagram and has since been viewed more than one million times.
What Happened
Brimway says the family was flying from Los Angeles to Turks and Caicos with a stop in New York City. Around four hours into the flight on Friday, June 12, as the aircraft approached JFK Airport, her older son woke her and said, “there was a rat in the lights.” Brimway, who was traveling with her 10-month-old baby, instructed him to record the sighting.
The clip, which was later shared by Storyful and reported by PEOPLE, appears to show a large rodent moving across the blue lighting panels under the overhead compartments in JetBlue’s Mint (premium) cabin. Brimway posted the video to her Instagram account, @brittneynicole291, writing: "You can't make this s--- up! Our first class with @jetblue had a rat YES a RAT in the overhead bin!!!"
JetBlue plane stock imageCredit: Kevin Carter/Getty
Airline Response
JetBlue responded publicly on Instagram, asking Brimway to message her booking confirmation code, the name on the reservation and date of birth. Brimway told PEOPLE the airline has since informed her that the flight will be refunded.
JetBlue said: "While incidents of this nature are rare, maintaining a safe and comfortable experience for our customers and crewmembers is a top priority. Our aircraft are regularly serviced and cleaned, and this aircraft has been identified and taken out of service."
Similar Incidents
This is not an isolated event. In December, a rodent was recorded on a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight bound for Aruba, where it crawled along curtain rails and into overhead bins. KLM described that episode as "very exceptional" and said the aircraft was thoroughly cleaned before returning to service.
JetBlue's action to remove the plane from service and offer a refund follows standard safety and sanitation protocols airlines use when an unusual contamination or pest issue is reported. Passengers and regulators typically expect immediate grounding of the specific aircraft for inspection and cleaning.
For now, the viral video has reignited passenger concerns about onboard sanitation and the steps carriers take to prevent pests from boarding aircraft. JetBlue and other airlines emphasize these incidents are rare and point to routine maintenance and cleaning procedures.
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