Qantas discovered bedbugs on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft traveling from Perth to Rome on 9 October. The parasitic insects were found in the front section of the economy cabin, prompting the airline to remove the aircraft from service upon arrival in the Italian capital.
The discovery led to the cancellation of the Qantas service scheduled to depart Rome for Perth on 10 October to allow maintenance teams to conduct a comprehensive cleaning of the affected aircraft. A Qantas spokesperson stated the airline identified “an issue” affecting a limited number of economy seats and expressed apologies to affected customers. Passengers were provided accommodation and rebooked on alternative flights within 48 hours of their originally scheduled departure.
Qantas emphasized that aircraft cabins undergo regular cleaning to high standards and receive disinfectant treatments every 50 days as part of standard maintenance procedures. According to Prof Michelle Power, a parasitologist at Macquarie University, bedbugs were most likely introduced into the aircraft through passenger luggage or clothing, as the insects are commonly associated with travel and naturally seek dark spaces and areas with human odors.
Power noted that while bedbugs are not medically dangerous, their bites can cause itching and irritation. The insects present a significant challenge for elimination, as they can survive extended periods without feeding and hide in various crevices. Power also highlighted disparities in bedbug management, observing that frequent travelers from higher-income backgrounds may inadvertently spread infestations, while individuals facing economic challenges may lack access to pesticides or the resources needed for heat treatments required to eliminate the insects.
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