Qantas grounds Boeing 787 after bedbug outbreak on Rome‑Perth flight

First reported 13 Oct 2026 · Updated 14 Oct 2026

Written by AI from 8 reports listed below. Not checked by a person before publication. How we use AI

Qantas removed a Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliner from service at Rome Fiumicino after crew discovered bedbugs; the Rome‑Perth flight scheduled for 10 October was cancelled, passengers received hotel accommodation and were rebooked within two days, and the aircraft underwent inspection and deep cleaning.

Aircraft removal

Qantas temporarily removed a Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliner from active commercial service at Rome Fiumicino Airport after flight crew discovered bedbugs. The aircraft, registration VH‑ZNI, was later ferried from Rome to Perth under flight number QF7006, departing Rome at 2:02 PM on 10 October and arriving in Perth at 11:06 AM the following day. After the ferry flight the plane continued to Sydney as QF6007 and has since returned to regular service.

Flight cancellation

The outbound Rome‑to‑Perth service, flight QF6, scheduled to depart Rome at 10:45 AM local time on 10 October, was cancelled following the bedbug outbreak. The inbound Melbourne‑to‑Rome flight QF5 arrived in Rome at 7:33 AM on 10 October, later than its usual 6:15 AM arrival, after a 16.5‑hour leg from Perth during which passengers reported bites.

Passenger assistance

Passengers on the cancelled Rome‑to‑Perth flight were offered hotel accommodation until another aircraft was available. Qantas rebooked the affected travellers on alternative flights within two days of the original departure, with some reports specifying a 48‑hour rebooking window.

Cleaning operations

Qantas conducted a thorough inspection and deep clean of the aircraft after the outbreak, including fumigation. A Qantas spokesperson said the cleaning was undertaken to allow maintenance crews to deep‑clean the aircraft. The airline stated its aircraft are cleaned regularly and disinfected every 50 days as a precaution.

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