Scorpion
© AFP / University of Porto
A routine flight across the United States came to resemble a scene from a bizarre Hollywood film after a passenger was bitten by a scorpion. The woman was transferred to hospital after landing at her destination.

The United Airlines flight, traveling from San Francisco to Atlanta, apparently had some unwanted cargo on board. A female passenger who felt a stinging sensation reportedly inspected herself in the aircraft's bathroom, only to discover a scorpion in the leg of her pants. The arachnid was eventually captured by the plane's crew.

A photo shows the airborne invertebrate animal in what appears to be a cardboard box used to serve meals on board.

In a statement, United Airlines said that the flight had been met by medical personnel after arriving in Atlanta.

"We have been in contact with our customer to ensure her well-being," the airline said.

It's not clear how the eight-legged creature managed to slip onto the plane undetected.