Overview
- Passengers on the Perth‑to‑Rome service reported itchy bites during the 17‑hour flight on Oct. 9, and some were treated with antihistamines on arrival.
- Qantas cancelled the Rome‑to‑Perth return (QF6) on Oct. 10 so engineers could take the Dreamliner out of service for a deep clean and fumigation.
- Affected travellers were given hotel accommodation and rebooked on alternative flights within 48 hours, the airline said.
- Health agencies and experts say bed bugs do not transmit disease but cause painful, itchy welts and can be distressing for passengers.
- Entomologists note bed bugs usually travel on luggage or clothing, are hard to spot inside seat crevices, and removing them from an aircraft requires costly vacuuming, steaming and approved treatments that can sideline jets and hit an airline’s reputation.