An American Airlines passenger had a terrifying experience on a flight from New York City to Detroit when they discovered a bedbug crawling up their leg in “first class.” The passenger, known as @HaddawayThrowaway978 on Reddit, shared the unsettling find in a viral post. They reportedly placed the bedbug on a cocktail napkin to show the flight attendant, who then informed the pilot using the phone/intercom.
Concerned about the possibility of an infestation, the passenger changed clothes at the airport and bagged the items to be washed. They expressed hope that the plane would be grounded due to the bedbug, but found out that it had continued on to Tulsa before returning to New York City. The passenger filed a complaint with American Airlines, receiving what they described as an “extremely underwhelming” response from the airline.
Redditors who came across the post expressed sympathy for the passenger’s ordeal, with one person commenting that it was “nightmare fuel” and another making a joke about the bedbug choosing an airline based on fare prices. Another user pointed out that the bedbug in the photo appeared to be an adolescent, indicating that there could potentially be eggs on the plane, raising concerns about a possible infestation.
While instances of bedbugs on flights are rare, they are not entirely unheard of. In 2017, Canadian passengers on a British Airways flight from Vancouver to London reported being bitten by bedbugs. Pest control experts recommend certain measures to reduce the risk of picking up bedbugs while flying, such as using specially-made seat covers, placing carry-on luggage in plastic bags, and bringing your own pillow and blanket instead of using those provided by the airline.
Overall, the story of the American Airlines passenger encountering a bedbug during their flight highlights the potential risks of sharing confined spaces with pests during air travel. The passenger’s experience serves as a reminder to air travelers to remain vigilant and take preventive measures to protect themselves from encountering bedbugs while flying. Airlines may also need to take additional steps to address and prevent such incidents in the future, ensuring a safe and comfortable travel experience for all passengers.
