A long-haul Qantas flight from Perth (PER/YPPH) to Rome (FCO/LIRF) has been at the centre of an unusual incident after passengers reportedly complained of bed bug bites during the journey.
The incident occurred aboard flight QF5 on the 9th of October 2026. Reports indicate that passengers were given antihistamines following complaints of bites, with the problem believed to have affected a small number of economy-class seats.
The situation subsequently disrupted the return journey. Qantas cancelled flight QF6 from Rome to Perth on the 10th of October, taking the Boeing 787 Dreamliner out of service to allow engineers and maintenance teams to carry out a deep clean and fumigation.
Passengers affected by the cancellation were provided with accommodation and rebooked on alternative flights, with some experiencing delays of up to 48 hours.
Qantas apologised for the disruption, explaining that the cleaning was necessary after an issue was identified in a small number of economy seats. The airline reiterated that its aircraft cabins are cleaned regularly and maintained to high hygiene standards.
Bed bugs can hide in upholstery and small crevices, making them difficult to eliminate completely. Although their bites can cause uncomfortable itching and swelling, the insects are not known to transmit diseases to humans.
The incident highlights the potential for a seemingly small cabin problem to have significant consequences for an airline, particularly when an aircraft operating a long-haul international route must be removed from service for specialist treatment.
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