Qantas has temporarily withdrawn a Boeing 787-9 from service at Rome Fiumicino after passengers reported bedbug bites during flight QF5 from Perth on 9 October. The airline cancelled the aircraft’s scheduled return to Perth the following day, allowing engineering and maintenance teams to conduct a deep clean and leaving affected passengers to be accommodated and rebooked on alternative flights within 48 hours.
The insects were reportedly found in a small number of seats in the forward economy cabin during the nearly 17-hour flight. Passengers who complained of bites were given antihistamines, although reports indicated that the onboard supply ran out. The precise number of affected travellers and the aircraft’s registration have not been disclosed.
Qantas apologised for the cancellation and described the issue as limited to a small number of economy seats. The airline also said its cabins are cleaned regularly and receive precautionary disinfection treatments every 50 days. It has not established publicly how the insects entered the aircraft, although luggage or clothing are considered plausible sources.
Bedbug bites can cause itching, redness and swelling but are not generally considered a disease-transmission risk to humans. The incident disrupted the QF6 Rome–Perth operation and required hotel accommodation and alternative travel arrangements while the aircraft was removed from service.