Another Air India passenger complains of bed bugs

MUMBAI: An Air India passenger alleged that he was bitten by bed bugs onboard a flight from Delhi to Bengaluru last week. This is probably the first time that a domestic passenger has complained about bed bugs on an Air India flight. In July, in two separate cases, Air India business class passengers on board its ultra long haul Newark to Mumbai flight had complained about bugs on its Boeing 777s.

“I felt itchy and was scratching throughout the flight. I thought there were mosquitoes on board. I didn’t release that I was bitten by bed bugs till I reached home and removed my shirt,” said Ravi Kumar, who boarded the 5.40pm Air India flight from Delhi to Bengaluru on October 17. “Though I was uncomfortable throughout, I didn’t complain to the cabin crew. It didn’t occur to me that I was being bitten by bugs,” Kumar said.

Read Also: Bed bugs bite baby in business class of Newark-Mumbai Air India flight

The passenger hasn’t filed a complaint with the airline about the incident, though his daughter posted a photograph on social media, that showed his back mottled with red spots. Vinika Kumar, the daughter said, “I tagged the airline in my tweet, but I haven’t received any response yet.” Air India spokesperson did not comment on the matter.

Only months ago, in July, in three separate cases reported, Air India business class passengers on board Newark-Mumbai flight had complained about bed bugs on the Boeing 777 seats.

On July 19, an infant was left covered in bites and bleeding during the 14-hour long flight. The incident came to light only when passengers were woken up in preparation for landing. The mother removed the infant’s clothes as the child had been crying and found bite marks all over.

Another Air India business class passenger also tweeted pictures of bug bites that his 12-year old daughter suffered on board the same flight.

Bed bugs on airline seats are not extremely rare occurrences. Last year, a British Airways passenger tweeted a picture of the bites she suffered onboard a flight.

In July, in two separate cases, Air India business class passengers on board its Newark to Mumbai flight had complained about bugs in the plane