It’s a traveler’s worst nightmare: bed bugs. The insect’s name suggests they are limited to beds, meaning the worry is restricted solely to homes, hotels, vacation rentals and any other place we could possibly rest our heads. But, on planes? Well, bed bugs have and do indeed infiltrate the fabrics of even these seats, despite many of us not actually getting any rest on a plane.

A Qantas flight over this past weekend from Perth (PER) to Rome (FCO) was canceled Oct. 10 after passengers from an earlier incoming flight on the same aircraft reported being bitten onboard. These passengers were seated in the economy cabin of the aircraft, with one passenger sharing with 9News the bed bugs were found crawling over their clothing, belongings, Qantas blankets and even the window.

In response to the incident, Qantas released a statement apologizing, and shared the entire aircraft was temporarily removed from service and deeply cleaned after the report. Qantas also revealed the bed bugs were found on a “small number” of economy seats. Passengers on the canceled flight were rebooked and provided with accommodations.

Qantas also stated its cabins are regularly cleaned to a high standard, treated with disinfectant every 50 days as a standard precautionary cleaning measure. It’s not the first time this has occurred on a plane. In March 2025, a U.S. family filed a claim against both Delta Air Lines and KLM after receiving bed bug bites on a KLM flight from Atlanta (ATL) to Amsterdam (AMS). Also last year, Turkish Airlines received several complaints and reports from passengers claiming to have suffered from bed bugs on different long-haul routes.

But the issue raised concerns among travelers. How did the bed bugs get into the cabin?

Bed bugs, according to the CDC, can be found anywhere in the world, including 5-star hotels and resorts. As the CDC states, “How clean a place is does not determine whether bed bugs are present.”

While bed bugs are not known to spread diseases, they can bite, resulting in itchy skin and loss of sleep and, in some instances, allergic reactions.

As for how the insects got onto the plane? It’s actually not as surprising as you might think. According to the CDC, bed bugs are experts at hiding as their slim and fat bodies enable them to fit into small spaces. Bed bugs can also go a long period of time without a blood meal.

So, when you consider how easy it is for a bed bug to get into the seams and folds of a suitcase, overnight bag or folded clothes, and remain there for a while without searching for food, their appearance on the aircraft is less surprising.

That said, it’s important for travelers to know how to reduce the risk of bed bugs. Early detection and eradication often make infestations easier to control. For travelers, look for signs of infestation like exoskeletons or bugs in the folds of mattresses and sheets. In the day, bed bugs hide in or round the bed, from the box springs to dresser tables to inside cracks and crevices, as well as bed frames and headboards. Bed bugs often leave rusty-colored blood spots on mattresses or nearby furniture.

Have you experienced bed bugs when traveling? What precautions do you take? Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.