Air India has reported that a recent flight had to make an unexpected turnaround due to a significant blockage in its toilets caused by plastic bags, rags, and clothing items.
A plane en route from Chicago to Delhi, India, spent several hours airborne before returning to the US.
Footage captured within the aircraft revealed chaos, with passengers gathering around crew members who appeared to be clarifying the unfolding circumstances.
The incident has ignited a spirited discussion across social media platforms as numerous Indians express their views on the nuances of aeroplane bathroom etiquette.
According to a statement released by the airline on Monday, the incident occurred on 5 March aboard Air India Flight 126.
Approximately two hours into the flight, crew members indicated several toilets were deemed “unserviceable.”
Following the incident, it was reported that eight out of the 12 toilets in both business and economy class were inoperable, leading to significant discomfort for all passengers on board. The aircraft can accommodate as many as 342 passengers.
According to a statement from Air India, the plane was already in flight over the Atlantic Ocean at that time. The pilots returned to Chicago, citing “passenger comfort and safety” as the primary reasons, given the restrictions on night operations at most European airports.
A recent BBC investigation into flight tracking data from Flightradar24 revealed that the aircraft was positioned near Greenland when it decided to turn back, having accumulated a total of 10 hours airborne.
Air India reported that an investigation subsequently revealed “polythene bags, rags, and clothes that had been flushed down and lodged in the plumbing” of the aircraft’s toilets.
Several images depicting bags filled with waste removed from the toilets have been released. A photograph captured a crew member gripping a drainage pipe entirely filled with what seemed to be rags.
According to the statement, all passengers and crew disembarked without incident in Chicago, where they were offered accommodation and alternative flight options.
Aircraft lavatories are equipped with specialised tanks designed to hold human waste, which are flushed efficiently using a vacuum system. Typically, these items are discarded after the aircraft has touched down.
In an interview with the Hindustan Times, Mark Martin, an aviation expert, stated that while clogged toilets are a frequent issue, it is “next to impossible” for all toilets to malfunction solely due to passengers’ actions, particularly in a manner that necessitates an emergency diversion.
Air India has reported that it has previously discovered items including blankets, pants and nappies that were flushed down the toilets of its aircraft.
“Passengers are strongly encouraged to utilise lavatories solely for their intended purposes,” the statement read.
Criticism has emerged on X regarding the airline’s inadequate maintenance and insufficient sanitation facilities aboard its aircraft.
Air India is experiencing an unusual number of incidents. “What has occurred is truly indefensible,” stated one user.
However, some argued that the airline should not be held accountable for the circumstances.
Another user commented, “Is it fair to place all the responsibility on Air India and its crew when passengers fail to adhere to fundamental travel etiquette?”
