Bedbug infestation forces Qantas to ground plane in Rome

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Qantas grounded a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Rome after bedbugs were found in economy class following a flight from Perth, leading to the cancellation of the return service for deep cleaning. This incident highlights the difficulties airlines encounter in preventing pest infestations amid rising global travel and the broader challenges of managing bedbugs, which spread primarily through human movement.

Qantas was compelled to ground a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Rome after bedbugs were discovered aboard the aircraft following its flight from Perth. The infestation was detected in the front section of economy class during the journey to Rome on October 9, prompting the airline to cancel the return service scheduled for October 10.

A Qantas spokesperson confirmed that the flight cancellation allowed engineers and maintenance crews to perform a thorough deep clean of the plane after identifying the pest issue on a limited number of economy seats. The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and assured affected passengers were accommodated and rebooked on alternative flights within 48 hours of their original departure.

The carrier noted that its cabins undergo regular cleaning routines and are treated with disinfectants every 50 days as a preventative measure against such infestations.

According to Michelle Power, a parasitologist at Macquarie University, bedbugs likely entered the aircraft via passengers’ luggage or clothing. She explained that since bedbugs do not fly, they typically spread through human travel, often hitching rides in infested hotel rooms and seeking shelter in dark areas like clothing or bags.

While bedbugs are not considered dangerous—they feed on human blood and their bites can cause itching and irritation—they are notoriously challenging to eradicate due to their ability to hide in crevices and bedding for extended periods without feeding. Power highlighted the dual nature of bedbug transmission, noting that while frequent travelers may inadvertently distribute them, individuals experiencing socioeconomic disadvantages often face greater difficulties in eliminating infestations due to costs associated with pesticides and methods such as heating water to required temperatures to kill the insects.

The incident underscores ongoing challenges airlines face in maintaining hygiene standards amid global travel, as well as the broader public health implications of pest control in the context of increased human mobility.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.