Air India Flight Returns to US After Lavatories Get Clogged Mid-Air

New Delhi: An Air India flight bound for Delhi was forced to return to Chicago on March 5 after multiple lavatories on board became unusable due to severe clogging. The incident occurred mid-flight, with the Boeing 777-300ER jetliner carrying 300 passengers when most of its 12 toilets stopped functioning while flying over Greenland.

Newly surfaced images reveal that a large cloth and plastic waste had been flushed down the lavatory system, leading to the failure. Additional pictures show objects such as blankets and clothing being removed from the aircraft’s plumbing.

Air India Issues Statement

Following the disruption, Air India released an official statement confirming that their investigation found polythene bags, rags, and other materials lodged in the plumbing, which caused the toilets to become unserviceable.

"While we fully empathize with passengers affected by this incident, our priority was their comfort and safety. The flight initially departed on time at 16:48 UTC, but about one hour and 45 minutes into the journey, crew members reported issues with some lavatories in both Business and Economy Class. Eventually, eight of the 12 toilets became unusable," Air India stated.

Decision to Return to Chicago

With the aircraft flying over the Atlantic, diverting to a European airport was considered. However, due to night operation restrictions at several European airports, the airline decided to return to Chicago instead.

"The decision to turn back was taken in the best interest of passenger safety and comfort," the airline added. Upon landing, all passengers were provided hotel accommodations and alternative flight arrangements to minimize inconvenience.

Previous Incidents of Lavatory Misuse

Air India also addressed reports of similar incidents on other flights, revealing that maintenance teams had previously discovered items such as innerwear, diapers, and blankets flushed into the toilet system.

"We urge passengers to use lavatories only for their intended purpose to prevent such disruptions in the future," the airline started.

Passengers affected by the flight’s diversion have since resumed their journeys on alternate flights.