A flight operated by Air India was compelled to return after plastic bags, rags, and clothes blocked most of its toilet facilities, causing discomfort for its 300 passengers. The flight was en route from Chicago to Delhi but turned back after nearly two hours in the air.
Videos captured the confusion as passengers gathered around crew members who were explaining the situation.
The incident sparked a lively discussion on social media about airplane bathroom etiquette among Indians.
Plane toilets collect human waste in special tanks and utilize a vacuum system for flushing, which is typically disposed of upon landing.
Although clogged toilets are not rare, it is highly improbable for all toilets to malfunction due to passenger actions alone to the extent of causing an emergency diversion, according to aviation expert Mark Martin.
The incident occurred on Air India Flight 126 on 5 March, with the airline releasing a statement on Monday outlining the events.
The airline reported finding items such as blankets, undergarments, and diapers previously flushed down its toilets.
Air India urged passengers to use lavatories only for their intended purposes.
The airline stated that eight of its 12 toilets in business and economy class became non-functional after crew members discovered plastic bags, rags, and clothes flushed down and lodged in the plumbing system.
The airline shared photos of waste-filled bags and blocked pipes removed from the toilets.
Due to overnight restrictions at European airports, the flight was diverted back to Chicago.
Upon landing, all passengers and crew disembarked normally and were provided with accommodations to minimize inconvenience. The airline took the decision to divert the flight for passenger comfort and safety.
Air India offered full refunds and rescheduled flights for the affected passengers.
On social media, some criticized Air India for poor maintenance and inadequate sanitation facilities on its aircrafts. However, others argued that the airline and crew could not be solely blamed for the incident.
