Clogged toilet forces U-turn: Air India appeals for proper lavatory use after Chicago-Delhi flight disruption

In a statement as quoted by The Times of India, Air India said: "Urge passengers to use lavatories only for purposes they are meant for."

“Our teams have previously also found objects such as blankets, innerwear, and diapers, among other waste, having been flushed down toilets on other flights," the statement said.

An Air India flight from Chicago to Delhi returned to the original airport in Chicago on March 5 due to clogged toilets.

The flight was an hour and forty-five minutes into the journey when it returned to the point of origin.

According to reports, eight out of the 12 toilets of the flight became inoperative.

Air India Spokesperson Reacts

“As part of our investigation into the incident, our teams found polythene bags, rags, and clothes that had been flushed down and (were) stuck in the plumbing. This led the lavatories to become unserviceable,” an Air India spokesperson told The Indian Express.

Several passengers of Flight AI216 shared their experience on social media platforms.

“By this time, the aircraft was overflying the Atlantic, leaving points in Europe as potential cities to divert to. However, due to restrictions on night operations at most of the European airports, it was decided to divert back to Chicago,” the spokesperson said.

Social Media Reactions

Another Jaspinder said: "Air India Flight 126 was over Greenland when 11 of its 12 toilets became inoperable, with only one functioning toilet in business class."

One social media user Musthafa Hussain wrote on X: "Toilet Turbulence: Air India long-haul flight chaos as 11 of 12 toilets clogged by human waste force plane to return to Chicago, sparking deluge of refunds and fury."

Journalist Vishnu Som said: "Images of what was flushed down the toilet of AI-126, an Air India 777-300ER which flew 5 hours on a flight to India before having to return to Chicago when most of its toilets were clogged - plastic waste and what appears to be clothing."

Journalist Tarun Shukla wrote on X: "Washrooms of @Boeing 777 AI-126 flight from Chicago to Delhi may have gotten clogged partly coz of what

@AirIndia engineering guys found stuffed inside the commode once it landed."