Passengers shocked to find BED BUGS in their seats on Air India flight to New York
PASSENGERS were shocked to discover bed bugs in their seats while travelling business class on an Air India flight, after travelling from Mumbai to New York. Two planes were grounded to be fumigated after the discovery.
Two Air India flights between India and the US have been halted following the discovery of bed bugs onboard.
Pravin Tonsekar, who was travelling in business class from Mumbai to New York, found the critters in the seats.
He took to Twitter to tweet his disgust along with images of the bugs.
He wrote: “Just arrived from New York on Air India 144 business class with family.
“All our seats infested with bed bugs. Sir, have heard of bed bugs on trains but shocked to experience on our maharaja and business [too].”
Both planes were grounded following the complaints for fumigation
Mr Tonsekar wasn’t the only passenger; another man tweeted two days later: “My wife and three kids flex business class AI 144 from Newark to Mumbai.
“Now they have bed bug bites all over their body; is this is what we paid $10,000 for?”
Air India responded to the concerns passenger with a statement: “Your safety and pax comfort is paramount for #AirIndia.
“Inquiry was ordered on the same day, and responsibility will be fixed. We feel your pain and empathise also.
“We assure you that we will allow no one to jeopardise safety and comfort of pax."
Express.co.uk has contacted Air India for comment regarding the situation.
According to Fox News, both planes were grounded following the complaints for fumigation.
Earlier this year, a British Airways passenger also found bed bugs in their business class seats.
During a flight from Kent to Cape Town, one passenger received more than 150 bites from the creature.
The airline apologised to the passenger affected.
How to prevent being bitten by bed bugs on a plane
How can you check if your flight has bed bugs onboard?
Mario Stanchev, a pest control expert at Fantastic Services, told Express.co.uk: "Apart from seeing a live bed bug, there are other ways to tell if in the hotel room or, for example, in the plane you are sitting over has a bed bug “nest”.
Peak time is between “10pm and 6am” and they often hide in dark places.
Looking out for their droppings is also a tell-tale sign, with small maroon or dark-coloured dots staining the seat,” he explained.
Passengers should instantly tell cabin crew to move seats as well as alert them to prevent other passengers being bitten.