Bedbugs on board: A new travel nightmare for Turkish Airlines?

Passengers flying with Turkish Airlines have increasingly reported bedbug infestations on flights, sparking frustration and concern among travellers.

Incidents have involved bedbugs crawling on seats, blankets, and even falling from the cabin, leading to discomfort and disrupted journeys.

Patience Titcombe, a passenger on a Johannesburg-to-Istanbul flight in March 2024, shared her unsettling encounter. “I almost flicked it away,” Titcombe told The New York Times. “But my friend stopped me and said, ‘That’s a bedbug.’”

While the flight attendant removed the insect, Titcombe’s concerns about potential infestations were dismissed. She later changed clothes at the airport to protect her family from possible contamination.

@TurkishAirlines bedbugs on our inbound flight to IST is every travelers nightmare!!! pic.twitter.com/cO03qBT73h

— Patience Titcombe (@lasgidicafephx) March 18, 2024

In October, Matthew Myers and his girlfriend faced a similar issue on a flight from Istanbul to San Francisco. Myers recounted seeing bedbugs falling from the ceiling and crawling on seats, prompting multiple passengers to request seat changes.

“Multiple passengers were asking to move seats after discovering bugs,” he said. Despite filing a complaint, Myers was offered only a 10 per cent discount on a future flight.

Kristin Bourgeois experienced her ordeal on a DC-to-Istanbul flight in the same month, noticing bedbugs on her blanket and pillow. After the flight, she discovered 13 bites on her skin. Although she filed a complaint, the airline demanded extensive documentation, only to later claim her reservation details were missing.

How Turkish Airlines has responded

Turkish Airlines has been criticised for its response to these incidents. While some passengers received minimal compensation, others were met with denials or unhelpful responses.

The airline has stated that its aircraft undergo deep cleaning every 21 days and are cleaned generally before each flight. However, these measures have not alleviated concerns about bedbug infestations.

Dealing with bedbugs on airplanes is a costly and time-consuming process.

Rob Tuck, president of Jet Research, told The New York Times that fumigating a plane can take up to five days and cost up to $125,000, including lost revenue from cancelled flights. Planes must be taken to maintenance bases for thorough treatment, presenting logistical challenges for airlines.

Founded in 1933, Turkish Airlines is one of the world’s largest carriers, operating nearly 400 airplanes across more than 300 destinations. Despite its reputation for extensive global reach, the recent reports of bedbug infestations have cast a shadow over its services.

Issuing a statement on January 2, 2025, the airline’s spokesperson Yahya Üstün told Firstpost in an email that “bedbug cases are a common issue encountered in public spaces, including aircraft. In this regard, we take all feedback seriously and thoroughly investigate each report. In such cases, affected aircraft are promptly subjected to all necessary inspections and treatments.”

“As part of our routine operations, our aircraft are regularly cleaned and thoroughly sanitized before every flight. We also maintain close communication with aircraft manufacturers to ensure the most effective and safe disinsection procedures are implemented,” added Üstün.

How travellers can prevent bedbugs

While bedbug infestations on airplanes are rare, experts suggest precautions to minimise risk. The New York City Department of Health advises passengers to cover their seats using specially designed covers to prevent bugs from transferring to clothing or luggage.

Placing carry-on items in airtight plastic bags can also reduce exposure to potential contaminants.

Abell Pest Control recommends bringing personal pillows and blankets to avoid using airline-provided items that might harbor pests. Following these measures can help travellers protect themselves from unwanted encounters with bedbugs.

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(The article has been edited to include a statement from Turkish Airlines)

With inputs from agencies