According to Australian media, bed bugs were discovered in the economy cabin on flight QF5 from Perth, Australia, to Rome, Italy, on 9/10. Passengers were given antihistamines to treat the bites.

The aircraft was taken out of service for cleaning after landing in the Italian capital, leading to the cancellation of the Qantas flight from Rome to Perth on 10/10.

A Qantas representative stated that the airline provided accommodation and arranged alternative flights for passengers within 48 hours of the original departure time, apologizing for the incident. Qantas mentioned that aircraft cabins are regularly cleaned and disinfected every 50 days to prevent hygiene issues.

Bed bugs are small, resilient parasitic insects that feed on the blood of mammals, including humans.

Professor Michelle Power, a parasitology expert at Macquarie University, suggested that bed bugs likely boarded the aircraft via passenger luggage or clothing, subsequently spreading throughout the cabin.

"Bed bugs often accompany travel activities. Passengers might stay in hotels with infestations. As they prefer dark places and are attracted to the scent of human clothing, they can easily get into luggage," she explained.

According to Professor Power, bed bugs are flightless insects. Aircraft unintentionally become a means for them to travel to new locations. While not dangerous, bed bug bites can cause itching and skin irritation. Eradication is also challenging because they can hide for extended periods in bedding and narrow crevices without needing to feed.

Though rare, bed bugs have been reported on commercial flights. In 2017, a Canadian family reported bed bug bites on a British Airways flight from Vancouver to London. Heather Szilagyi stated she found bed bugs on the seat in front of her and another crawling from behind the entertainment screen.

In 2025, a family in Virginia, US, sued Delta Air Lines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, alleging bed bug bites on flights operated by the two airlines. The family claimed the bites caused swelling, itching, rashes, medical expenses, and negatively impacted their vacation.

Tuan Anh (According to CNA, Guardian, NBC)