MUMBAI, India — Discovering cockroaches at 35,000 feet is not on any traveler’s checklist, yet that is what unfolded aboard Air India’s long-haul Flight AI180 from San Francisco to Mumbai, according to multiple passenger accounts and an airline statement. The episode, which unfolded during a scheduled refueling stop in Kolkata, adds a fresh wrinkle to the flag carrier’s recent safety and service headaches.
What happened on Flight AI180?
Two passengers seated in the Boeing wide-body’s premium-economy cabin alerted crew after spotting insects crawling near their seats. Crew members relocated the pair elsewhere in the same cabin and filed an in-flight report. Ground staff in Kolkata boarded during the refuel window and carried out what Air India later called a “deep cleaning” of the cabin before the jet continued to Mumbai. “Two passengers were unfortunately bothered by the presence of a few small cockroaches on board,” the carrier said in a prepared statement, adding that technicians would investigate how insects accessed the aircraft despite routine fumigation.
Why the cockroaches matter for international travelers
Long-haul flights such as the roughly 16-hour San Francisco–Mumbai route hinge on strict hygiene standards. Insect contaminants raise concerns not only about passenger comfort but also food safety and regulatory compliance in destination countries. Airlines must document any sanitation lapses to aviation authorities; repeat violations can trigger audits, fines or even route suspensions.
Link to earlier food-safety scares
The cockroach sighting follows several food-related incidents aboard Air India in the past year:
- September 2024: On Flight AI101 from Delhi to New York, a traveler reported a cockroach baked into an omelet, claiming she and her child became ill afterward.
- June 2024: A blade-shaped metal shard turned up in a fig-chaat appetizer on Flight AI175 between Bengaluru and San Francisco. The carrier traced the fragment to a catering machine.
Each episode prompted separate investigations by the airline and its catering partners, but consumer-advocacy groups say the recurring pattern underscores the need for stricter oversight.
Mechanical hiccups also in focus
The insect discovery arrives on the heels of several technical diversions:
- June 29, 2025: Flight AI357 from Tokyo Haneda to Delhi diverted to Kolkata after cabin temperatures remained abnormally high.
- June 27, 2025: Flight AI639 returned to Mumbai minutes after departure for Chennai when crew detected a burning odor.
- That same day, an Air India Express service from Delhi to Jammu reversed course because of an unspecified technical fault.
A Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) audit conducted after a separate crash flagged 51 safety violations at Air India, seven of them categorized as Level-1, the most serious.
How Air India says it will respond
In its prepared statement, the airline vowed to examine ground-handling procedures in San Francisco, Kolkata and Mumbai, tighten pest-control protocols and “take steps to prevent a recurrence.” “Despite our regular fumigation efforts, insects can sometimes enter an aircraft during ground operations,” an Air India spokesperson said in the same statement. The company added that every aircraft undergoes interior pest treatment on a predetermined cycle approved by the DGCA and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, and that it will supplement those cycles with spot inspections on ultra-long-haul frames.
Tips for Travelers
- Inspect your seat area. Before settling in, check seat pockets, floor space and tray tables. Alert crew immediately if you spot insects or foreign objects.
- Photograph evidence. Clear, timestamped images strengthen any compensation claim or regulatory complaint.
- File a formal report on board. Cabin crew can escalate issues to ground maintenance and catering teams at the next stop.
- Follow up in writing. Email the airline’s customer-relations desk within 24 hours and copy national aviation authorities.
- Know your rights. Under India’s Civil Aviation Requirements Section 3, Series M, Part IV, passengers may claim reimbursement for proven health impacts or service failures.
FAQ
Is it safe to travel with Air India right now?
The DGCA has not restricted the airline’s operations, but travelers should monitor official advisories and consider travel-insurance options that cover delays or diversions.
Can insects survive aircraft disinsection?
Cockroaches are notoriously resilient; if eggs or larvae hide in catering carts or cargo, they can emerge mid-flight despite chemical treatments.
What compensation can I expect?
India lacks an EU-style standardized payout grid, so compensation is negotiated case-by-case. Providing photos, receipts and medical documentation improves your chances.
How often are planes fumigated?
Air India says its long-haul fleet is treated on a monthly schedule, with additional treatments after any insect report. Airlines operating to Australia and New Zealand must meet even stricter disinsection rules.
The bottom line for jet-setters
While the cockroach incident on Flight AI180 ended without injury, it spotlights the accumulating operational pressures on an airline undergoing a fleet and service overhaul. Travelers booked on upcoming Air India services may wish to monitor DGCA updates, inspect seating areas proactively and remain vocal about any irregularities. Cleanliness in the sky is non-negotiable; vigilance by both carriers and passengers keeps standards aloft. — as the airline said in a prepared statement.
