On Monday, Air India verified reports that its flight traveling from Chicago to Delhi had to turn back to the US city due to most of the 12 toilets onboard becoming inoperable. The airline stated that the restrooms became blocked due to items like plastic bags, rags, and clothing being flushed, making them unusable.
The airline stated that eight out of the 12 toilets on the flight were affected and that the choice to return to Chicago was made because possible diversion locations in Europe faced night-time operational limitations.
“We are aware of some social media posts about the unserviceable lavatories on AI126 operating Chicago to Delhi on 05 March 2025 that caused the flight’s diversion back to its origin, Chicago O’Hare International Airport,” said Air India in a statement.
Following the incident, Air India stated that eight out of the 12 toilets “became unserviceable” one hour and forty-five minutes into the flight.
The airline stated that the choice to turn back during the flight was made in the “interest of passenger comfort and safety” while the aircraft was over the Atlantic Ocean.
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“By the time, the plane was crossing the Atlantic, with locations in Europe being potential cities for a diversion. However, because of limitations on nighttime activities at the majority of European airports, a decision was made to return to Chicago,” stated the Air India representative in a statement issued shortly after the event garnered attention.
Previously, a report from the well-known aviation site View From The Wing stated that the flight had to come back four-and-a-half hours after departure while it was above Greenland.
The trip back to Chicago required the same duration, prolonging the passengers’ struggle to almost 10 hours.
The Air India representative additionally stated that the investigation teams have “discovered items like blankets, undergarments, and diapers, along with other refuse” being disposed of in toilets on different flights, encouraging passengers “to utilize restrooms solely for their intended purposes.”
