Air India Flight From San Francisco to Mumbai Sees Mid-Air Cockroach Trouble: Passengers Relocated, Deep Cleaning Done

Two passengers onboard Air India’s AI180 flight from San Francisco to Mumbai via Kolkata had an unpleasant experience after spotting a few small cockroaches during the journey, the airline confirmed on Monday.

Pooja Mehta Updated: Monday, August 04, 2025, 12:32 PM IST
Air India | File Pic (Representative Image)

Air India | File Pic (Representative Image)

Mumbai: Two passengers onboard Air India’s AI180 flight from San Francisco to Mumbai via Kolkata had an unpleasant experience after spotting a few small cockroaches during the journey, the airline confirmed on Monday.

Passengers Shifted to New Seats

According to an Air India spokesperson, the cabin crew immediately relocated the affected passengers to other seats in the same cabin to ensure their comfort. The situation was addressed without further disruption to the rest of the passengers on board.

Deep Cleaning at Kolkata Stopover

The aircraft had a scheduled fuel stop in Kolkata, during which the ground staff conducted a thorough deep cleaning to eliminate any traces of the insects. Post-cleaning, the flight continued its journey to Mumbai without delay.

Airline Responds, Apologises for Inconvenience

Air India stated that despite regular fumigation practices, insects can occasionally enter aircraft during ground operations. The airline has assured that a comprehensive investigation is underway to trace the source and implement stricter preventive measures.

“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused to the passengers,” the spokesperson added.

Published on: Monday, August 04, 2025, 12:32 PM IST

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