passengers aboard Air India flight AI 180, en route from San Francisco to Mumbai via a scheduled refueling stop in Kolkata, encountered an unexpected and unsettling situation: small cockroaches in the cabin. Two passengers reported noticing the insects and were promptly relocated to alternate seats in the same cabin for comfort.

The airline categorised the incident as “unfortunate” and issued an apology to all affected passengers. Air India stated that the aircraft underwent a deep cleaning during the technical halt in Kolkata before continuing to Mumbai as scheduled.

Despite routine fumigation procedures, Air India acknowledged that pests can sometimes infiltrate an aircraft during ground-based operations. The affected airplane—a relatively new Boeing 777 (registration VT‑AEH) previously operated by Delta—underwent cleaning initiatives initiated by ground staff during the brief stopover.

Air India has launched a full investigation to trace the source and cause of the infestation, with an emphasis on preventing recurrence. The airline emphasised its commitment to hygiene and passenger safety, stating its intention to enhance cleaning protocols and service standards in response to the incident.

Across social media and aviation commentary, many described the discovery as alarming rather than merely inconvenient. Critics pointed to recurring complaints regarding hygiene, maintenance, and service—placing added scrutiny on the carrier, especially in the aftermath of a fatal Dreamliner crash earlier in the year and findings from regulatory safety audits.

Passengers aboard flight AI 180 ultimately continued their journey without further incident, and the aircraft landed in Mumbai on time. Still, the episode has reignited debate over in-flight pest control, cleanliness standards, and operational oversight on long-haul flights.