A Jetstar Airways flight had the cutest reason for a plane delay: a small turtle was crossing the tarmac. Suffice it to say, he took things slow and steady.

A flight Thursday from Australia's Gold Coast to Adelaide was delayed for four minutes after First Officer James Fuller noticed a turtle on the tarmac, where his plane had just begun taxiing for departure.

"They aren’t the fastest-moving creatures," he told USA TODAY in a statement. "I’ve seen rabbits on the runway before, but in my four years flying with Jetstar, I’ve never seen a turtle on the tarmac. I want to thank customers for their patience while we gave the little fella right of way."

The captain alerted air traffic control and the turtle was able to return to a less-bustling habitat.

"Wanted to give a shoutout to our flight crew ... who brought the plane to a stop for a few minutes while taxiing at OOL to allow a gorgeous little turtle to cross the taxiway in front of the aircraft and make his way (yes, slowly – give him a break ... It's a turtle!) to the creek near the airport fence," passenger Lachlan Burnet wrote on the airline's Facebook page. "Made mine and the other passengers' day to see that. Lovely stuff, JQ pilots! Well played."

Contributing: David Oliver

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