This led to the British Airways Airbus A319 being grounded until a specialist was flown in to inspect the plane and to fumigate the cabin. The spider was never found and none of the 82 other passengers onboard reported seeing the spider.

A British Airways spokesman said, “A male passenger claimed he had seen what he believed to be a tarantula on board the aircraft. He saw it walking between his legs. On arrival, he drew this to the attention of the cabin crew. He did not give the impression of being particularly upset.”

Adding that, “There is the odd spider that comes in cargo such as fruit, but it is very unusual to have such a report on a UK flight.”