In a bizarre mid-air emergency, an Air India flight from Chicago to Delhi was forced to turn back after 11 out of 12 toilets on board became clogged, leaving over 300 passengers with only one functional lavatory. The incident occurred on March 6, 2025, during Air India Flight 126 (AI126), which had been airborne for over four and a half hours when the situation worsened. With just one operational business-class toilet left, the airline decided to fly back to Chicago, extending the total flight time to nearly five hours before landing.
Air India’s ResponseConfirming the incident, an Air India spokesperson stated: "AI126, operating Chicago to Delhi on March 6, 2025, air-returned to Chicago due to a technical issue. Upon landing, all passengers and crew disembarked normally and were provided accommodation to minimize inconvenience. Alternative arrangements are being made to fly the passengers to their destination."
The airline is offering full refunds, complimentary rescheduling, and accommodation for affected passengers. However, some customers have reported difficulties in securing refunds, particularly those who booked through third-party programs like Avianca LifeMiles.
Frustrated travelers expressed their disappointment, with one customer stating they had booked a first-class ticket for their cousin’s wedding in India using LifeMiles but are now struggling with customer service issues across Avianca, Lifemiles, and Air India.