Qantas cancelled its flight from Rome to Perth on October 13, 2026, after passengers on the previous leg reported bedbug bites. The affected aircraft was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating the route.
Aircraft Grounded for Deep Cleaning
Following these reports, Qantas removed the Boeing 787 Dreamliner from service to allow engineers and maintenance staff to carry out a thorough deep cleaning of the aircraft. The airline stated the issue involved a small number of economy seats. Qantas regularly disinfects its fleet approximately every 50 days as a precaution.
Impact on Passengers
Passengers booked on the cancelled Rome-to-Perth flight were provided hotel accommodation and rebooked on alternate Qantas flights
scheduled within 48 hours of their original departure. This disruption caused delays of up to two days for those affected.
Bedbug Background and Health Information
Bedbugs are small wingless insects that feed on blood and can travel on clothing, suitcases, and bedding. Bites typically cause large reddened itchy welts that fade to a red spot, though some people do not react. According to the NHS, bedbug bites are itchy but not serious. Australia’s Victorian government Better Health Channel states bedbugs are not known to transmit diseases.
Qantas Statement and Cleaning Protocols
A Qantas spokesperson apologized for the cancellation and stated the grounding allowed deep cleaning after a bedbug issue was
found in some economy seats. Standard treatment for bedbugs includes washing fabrics on a hot wash and freezing items for three or four days, as recommended for effective removal.
