Air India flight returns midway due to clogged toilets filled with diapers...

On Monday, March 10, Air India made a strange appeal to its flyers, asking them to use the in-flight lavatories only for their designated purpose. The carrier did this after it had seen repeated episodes of clogged toilets on long-distance flights, which have caused immense inconvenience to both passengers and crew members.

Passengers have been clogging the airplane's plumbing system with the wrong items such as plastic bags, clothing, and other material that resulted in severe clogs, the airline claims. This has resulted in lavatory overflows, especially on long-haul flights on the airline's older Boeing 777 planes.

Repeating lavatory malfunctions on long-haul flights

Sources say Air India has been grappling with its toilets, especially on flights to and from North America. The incident was hitting the headlines especially on March 5 after one of its flights from Chicago to Delhi had to make an emergency return to the U.S. after suffering a major technical malfunction that impacted its toilets onboard. Half of its 12 aircraft toilets onboard the Boeing 777 were functioning during mid-air flight and there was no alternative but to take extreme measures.

Air India official statement

The corporation made an official release against the incidents. The corporation called upon travelers to utilize lavatories wisely, releasing the following directive, "Please use lavatories only for their intended purpose. Don't flush hand towels, blankets, plastic bags, or other non-disposable items, since they can create severe blockages."

Air India regretted the inconvenience caused to the passengers and assured that comfort and safety of the passengers are their priority. "We acknowledge the inconvenience caused and are making efforts to provide a smoother experience to all our passengers," the release said.

Flight disruptions due to lavatory issues

During the crisis, toilets in economy and business class were reported out of commission by airline crew members on the Chicago-Delhi flight at approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes into the flight. The plane was diverted back to Chicago due to operational constraints in European airports, which prevented it from being able to execute an emergency landing in the area.

This is not the first of its kind for Air India. With the duration of long flights, working toilets are essential to the comfort of passengers. The airline is now stressing the need to use them properly to avoid future disruptions.