Unwanted Passenger: Spider Bites Iberia Pilot, Disrupts Flight

Flying comes with its fair share of unexpected challenges—turbulence, technical issues, or even unruly passengers. But on a recent Iberia flight, an unlikely culprit caused major disruption: a tiny eight-legged stowaway.

Spider Bite Triggers Mid-Air Emergency

On February 21, an Iberia Airbus A320 traveling from Düsseldorf, Germany, to Madrid, Spain, encountered a rare in-flight emergency. The pilot was bitten by a spider while in command of the aircraft.

To make matters worse, the pilot had an allergy to spider bites, raising serious concerns about his health during the flight.

Emergency Response Upon Landing

Despite the alarming situation, the aircraft landed safely at Madrid-Barajas Airport. Medical teams were on standby, and the pilot was immediately treated with Methylprednisolone, a medication used to counter allergic reactions, swelling, and itching. Fortunately, he did not experience severe complications and was able to resume his scheduled flights.

Flight Delay and Safety Measures

While passengers disembarked without incident, the aircraft’s next flight to Vigo faced a three-hour delay. Technicians conducted a thorough search for the spider, adhering to strict safety protocols.

As a precaution, the airline fully fumigated the aircraft to eliminate any potential threats before resuming service.

Iberia’s Assurance on Safety

Following the disinfection, Iberia confirmed that the aircraft returned to normal operations without further issues. While spider-related disruptions are rare, this incident underscores the unpredictable nature of air travel—where even the smallest creatures can cause unexpected turbulence.