Qantas cancels Perth‑Rome flight after passengers report bedbugs

Qantas Airways cancelled the Perth‑to‑Rome flight on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, after passengers in economy class reported being bitten by bedbugs during the nearly 17‑hour journey.

The incident highlights the challenges airlines face in preventing infestations on long‑haul routes and underscores the importance of rigorous cleaning standards for passenger health and confidence.

Travelers described insects crawling over clothing, blankets and even the aircraft windows. One passenger, Hailey Bagnall, told a local news program that bedbugs were “crawling over our belongings, our clothing, our Qantas blankets, and they were even crawling along the window.”

Qantas responded by grounding the Boeing 787 Dreamliner for a deep clean, removing seat covers and soft furnishings from the affected economy seats. The airline said its aircraft undergo a precautionary disinfectant treatment every 50 days, but staff ran out of antihistamines that had been provided to soothe the itchy bites.

The cancellation forced all passengers to spend the night in hotels, with the airline rebooking them on alternate flights within 48 hours. Those affected were given accommodation and assistance to retrieve their luggage.

“Bedbugs are skilled at hitchhiking on personal belongings,” entomologist Benjamin Hottel told a news outlet. “Inspecting luggage and placing travel clothes in a dryer on high heat for 30 to 45 minutes can help eliminate the insects before they spread.”

Health officials note that while bedbug bites cause itching and swelling, the pests are not known to transmit disease, and they are not considered a public‑health hazard.

Qantas said it will review cabin‑cleaning procedures and work with engineers and maintenance teams to ensure a thorough de‑infestation, aiming to prevent similar incidents on future flights.