Qantas grounded its Boeing 787 that was scheduled to fly from Perth to Rome on Oct 9 after a bedbug outbreak was discovered in the economy cabin.
Passengers reported itchy bumps during the 17‑hour journey, and flight attendants distributed antihistamines, but the supply ran out before the aircraft landed in Rome.
Once on the ground, Qantas maintenance crews began a deep‑cleaning operation, while the scheduled return flight on the same day was cancelled.
The airline offered hotel accommodations and rebooked affected travellers onto alternative flights within 48 hours, keeping passengers informed of new departure times.
Bedbugs, small reddish‑brown insects that feed on human blood, are not known to transmit disease, but can cause severe itching and secondary skin infections, according to the CDC.
Qantas will keep passengers informed about the next available flight after the cleaning is complete, and will resume the Perth‑Rome route once the aircraft is cleared.