Cockroaches Found on Air India Flight from San Francisco to Mumbai

San Francisco, CA – Passengers on an Air India long-haul flight from San Francisco to Mumbai were left shocked after cockroaches were reportedly found onboard during a refueling stop in Kolkata over the weekend.
The incident occurred on Flight AI 180, a Boeing 777-200LR, which departed San Francisco on Saturday, August 2, 2025. After landing in Kolkata for refueling, passengers alerted crew members about the presence of cockroaches inside the cabin. Two passengers were moved to different seats to avoid the insects.

Air India has issued an apology, calling the event “unfortunate,” and said the aircraft underwent a deep cleaning in Kolkata before continuing on to Mumbai. The airline stated that it follows routine fumigation and cleaning procedures but acknowledged that pests can occasionally enter during ground operations.

“We regret the inconvenience caused to our guests and have initiated a detailed investigation to prevent such incidents in the future,” an Air India spokesperson said.

This is not the first time Air India has faced criticism for cleanliness and service issues. In recent months, passengers have complained about dirty cabins, malfunctioning seats, and poor food hygiene. The airline has promised stricter quality control measures to restore passenger confidence.

While reports of pests on flights are rare, the incident serves as a reminder of the challenges airlines face in maintaining hygiene standards—especially on ultra-long-haul routes such as San Francisco to Mumbai.