Qantas grounded a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Rome after bedbugs were discovered on the aircraft during flight QF5 from Perth on 9 October, according to a source with knowledge of the incident.
The parasitic insects were found in the front section of the economy cabin as the plane traveled to Rome. The airline took the aircraft out of operation following the discovery.
Bedbug infestations on commercial aircraft are rare but have occurred on multiple airlines in recent years. The insects typically hide in seats, overhead bins and other aircraft furnishings, making them difficult to detect during standard pre-flight cleaning procedures.
Qantas did not immediately provide a public statement about the incident, according to the available information.
The grounding of a long-haul aircraft represents a significant operational disruption for the airline. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a wide-body jet used for international routes, and removing one from service affects scheduling and passenger connections across the network.
The discovery highlights ongoing challenges airlines face in pest management as travel volumes remain high globally. Airlines typically work with specialized pest-control contractors to address infestations, which can involve deep cleaning and fumigation procedures before an aircraft returns to service.