Tuesday, October 13, 2026 -Passengers travelling from Rome to Perth faced unexpected disruption after Qantas cancelled its return flight following reports of bed bugs aboard a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The incident occurred after passengers on flight QF5 from Perth to Rome on October 9, 2026, reported being bitten by insects in the economy section. The aircraft was taken out of service in Rome, forcing the cancellation of flight QF6 scheduled for October 10 while maintenance teams prepared for an extensive cleaning operation.
Qantas confirmed that an issue had been identified in a small number of economy seats and apologised to affected passengers for the inconvenience. The airline arranged accommodation and rebooked travellers on alternative flights within 48 hours of their original departure times. Reports also indicated that some passengers received antihistamines after complaining of bites during the earlier journey.
The aircraft underwent a deep clean to address the infestation before returning to service, highlighting the operational challenges airlines face when dealing with pests in enclosed cabins.
The incident has renewed attention on aircraft hygiene and passenger comfort, particularly on long-haul international routes. Bed bugs can hide in seat seams, fabric and narrow crevices, making them difficult to detect and remove. Although their bites can cause itching and swelling, they are not known to spread diseases to humans.
Qantas says its aircraft undergo regular cleaning and precautionary disinfection every 50 days. For travellers, the episode serves as a reminder to report suspected infestations promptly and document any evidence while airlines work to maintain safe and comfortable cabins.
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