Air India Flight from Chicago to Delhi Makes U-Turn Due to Clogged Toilets
Passengers on an Air India flight from Chicago to Delhi faced an unexpected ordeal when the plane was forced to return mid-journey due to clogged toilets. The incident occurred on March 6, 2025, when Air India flight AI126 had to make an emergency U-turn after 11 out of 12 lavatories stopped functioning, leaving over 300 passengers with only one working toilet in the business class section.
Flight Turns Back Over Greenland
The flight had already crossed Greenland when the issue became severe, prompting the pilot to return to Chicago. According to Air India, the aircraft landed safely, and all passengers and crew disembarked normally. The airline arranged alternative accommodations for the passengers while efforts were made to rebook them on another flight to Delhi.
Social Media Reactions and Viral Video
A video showing frustrated passengers speaking with cabin crew members has been circulating on social media. In the footage, travelers can be heard discussing the situation, with some expressing their frustration over the long delay.
An X (formerly Twitter) user, @dom_lucre, shared the clip, explaining that clogged airplane toilets are not uncommon, often caused by passengers flushing unauthorized items. Even a few blocked toilets can force an aircraft to turn around due to the limited availability of lavatories.
Similar Incidents in the Past
This is not the first time a flight has been disrupted due to toilet issues. In August 2024, a United Airlines flight from Germany to San Francisco was diverted after an overflow from the toilets seeped into the cabin, causing discomfort for passengers.
While Air India has assured that alternative arrangements are in place, the incident has sparked discussions about inflight maintenance and the challenges airlines face in handling unexpected technical issues mid-air.
