Bedbugs found in plane's economy seats force major airline to cancel flight

A Qantas Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating a Rome-to-Perth service was grounded after bedbug activity was found in the cabin on an earlier Sydney-to-Perth leg, leading to the cancellation of the return Rome-to-Perth flight.

Passengers on the nearly 17-hour international journey from Perth to Rome reported bedbug bites during the Sydney-to-Perth segment, prompting a deep clean of the aircraft used for the Rome leg. The airline described the issue as affecting a small number of economy seats.

Before the long-haul leg to Rome departed, the airline carried out preventive actions including deep cleaning, removal of seat coverings and soft furnishings, and cordoning off the impacted seats, with the aircraft reportedly undergoing a precautionary disinfectant treatment every 50 days as part of standard cleaning.

Following the decision to cancel the Rome-to-Perth return flight to complete the deep cleaning, affected passengers were provided hotel accommodations and rebooked on alternative flights within 48 hours. Antihistamines were offered to travelers on the flight to help with bites, though supplies were reported to have run out.

Experts noted that bedbugs can hitchhike on personal belongings and luggage, and that while their bites can cause itching and swelling, bedbugs are not known to spread disease or pose a public health hazard. Passengers were advised to inspect luggage and clothing after travel and to launder travel clothes at high heat if exposure is suspected.