Overview
- A Boeing 787 that arrived in Rome from Perth on 9 October was held after bed bugs were found in the front of the economy cabin and the scheduled return to Perth was canceled.
- Qantas arranged a targeted deep clean of the aircraft and offered affected passengers hotel accommodation and rebooking on other flights within 48 hours.
- Reports say the insects were concentrated in a small number of economy seats and some passengers on the earlier sector reported being bitten.
- Parasitologists explain bed bugs do not fly and are usually carried in luggage or clothing, they cause itching but pose little medical danger and are hard to eliminate.
- The episode disrupted long‑haul operations, raised questions about cleaning practices despite Qantas saying cabins are routinely cleaned and disinfected every 50 days, and highlights the personal and logistical costs for travellers who face infestations.