An Air India flight from Chicago to Delhi was forced to turn back after nearly 4.5 hours in the air due to clogged lavatories, resulting in a grueling 10-hour journey to nowhere for passengers.
Flight AI126, a Boeing 777-300 ER, departed from Chicago O’Hare International Airport at 11 AM on March 6, 2025. However, after crossing Greenland’s coastline, the aircraft reversed course and returned to Chicago, landing around 9 PM. The airline confirmed that the plane experienced a “technical issue,” and all passengers and crew disembarked normally.
A source familiar with the situation revealed that nine out of the aircraft’s ten lavatories were out of service, leaving only one functional restroom in the business class section. Given the limited availability of restrooms for a full flight, the decision was made to return.
The Boeing 777-300 ER has a seating capacity of 342 passengers, including 303 in economy class. To minimize inconvenience, Air India provided hotel accommodations, full refunds for cancellations, and complimentary rescheduling options for affected passengers.
Aircraft lavatories can become clogged when passengers flush unauthorized items, and even a small number of blocked restrooms can lead to flight diversions. Similar incidents have occurred in the past, highlighting the importance of restroom functionality on long-haul flights.
