Air India Flight Diverts After Passengers Clog Toilets with Improper Waste Disposal

Air India Flight 126 turned back last week when multiple toilets became unusable due to passengers flushing inappropriate items, leading to an emergency diversion for passenger safety.

Air India Flight 126 faced an unexpected turnaround last week as it flew from Chicago to Delhi after passengers attempted to flush plastic bags, rags, and clothing down the toilets, causing them to clog. The flight, which was already in the air for several hours, became uncomfortable for those on board when eight of the 12 toilets were rendered "unserviceable."

Around two hours into the journey, crew members noted the issue and reported it to the pilots, who were then flying over the Atlantic Ocean. Given that night operations at many European airports were restricted, the decision was made to return to Chicago for the comfort and safety of the passengers.

Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 indicated that the aircraft turned back near Greenland, totaling around 10 hours in the air. Initial investigations revealed that the toilets had become obstructed with "polythene bags, rags, and clothes," forcing the airline to release images showing the extent of the clogs.

Air India confirmed that all passengers and crew disembarked safely in Chicago, where they were offered accommodation and alternative travel arrangements. The airline took the incident as an opportunity to remind travelers of proper lavatory use in a statement, noting that it’s uncommon for all toilets to fail simultaneously, emphasizing that passenger irresponsibility played a significant role.

While some criticized Air India for maintenance issues and sanitation standards, others defended the airline, stating that passengers must share responsibility for their actions during flights.