Passengers on an Air India flight AI 180 from San Francisco to Mumbai experienced an unsettling situation when cockroaches were spotted onboard. The incident occurred on Monday, August 4, 2025, and the airline has since issued an apology and launched an investigation.

According to an Air India spokesperson, two passengers raised concerns about "a few small cockroaches" during the flight, which included a stopover in Kolkata. The cabin crew promptly responded by relocating the affected passengers to other seats within the same cabin, ensuring their comfort for the remainder of the journey.

During the scheduled stop in Kolkata for refueling, a thorough deep cleaning of the aircraft was carried out by the ground crew to address the issue. The flight subsequently departed on time towards its final destination in Mumbai.

Air India acknowledged the incident, stating that despite regular fumigation efforts, insects can sometimes find their way onto an aircraft during ground operations. The airline sincerely apologized for any inconvenience caused to the passengers. Furthermore, Air India has committed to conducting a comprehensive investigation to determine the source and cause of the incident and implement preventive measures to avoid similar occurrences in the future.

This incident occurs at a time when the Tata Group-owned carrier is already facing scrutiny for ongoing operational challenges, including delays, service complaints, and maintenance issues. The airline is also under intense examination following a deadly Dreamliner crash in June and the discovery of 51 safety violations in an audit by the aviation regulatory body, the DGCA.