In a bizarre turn of events that left hundreds of passengers frustrated, an Air India flight from Chicago to New Delhi was forced to turn back after a massive toilet clog caused a 10-hour delay. The incident, which unfolded on March 5 while the Boeing 777-300ER was cruising over Greenland, has now become a hot topic among travelers and online communities.
According to statements from Air India, the trouble began nearly five hours into the scheduled 14‑hour flight. Multiple lavatories on board—ranging from eight to as many as eleven out of the twelve available—became inoperable when passengers inadvertently flushed items such as polythene bags, rags, and even clothing down the toilets. With the majority of the facilities out of service, the remaining single toilet in business class couldn’t possibly accommodate all 300 passengers.
Faced with mounting complaints and the inability to provide proper restroom facilities, the flight crew made the difficult decision to divert the plane back to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. “Upon landing, all passengers and crew disembarked normally and were provided with accommodation to minimize inconvenience,” the airline said in a brief statement, adding that alternative travel arrangements were being made to get everyone to their final destination.
The mishap not only caused significant delays but also led to a lengthy maintenance and cleaning process. The aircraft was grounded for nearly two days as crews worked tirelessly to clear the clogged pipes and restore full functionality to the onboard lavatories.
While the airline offered refunds for the canceled flight, some passengers reported difficulties with the claims process, highlighting the challenges travelers face when incidents of this nature disrupt carefully planned schedules. This incident joins a growing list of similar cases where unauthorized items flushed down airplane toilets have led to unexpected diversions and operational setbacks.
As passengers continue to share their experiences and frustrations online, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proper disposal of items on flights—and the unexpected ways a single mistake can ripple through an entire journey.
