Bedbug sightings reported on multiple Turkish Airlines flights

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Bedbug sightings reported on multiple Turkish Airlines flights

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Airbus A380 | Airbus

By Sky Industry News

Jan 3, 2025

Reports have emerged of bedbug sightings on several Turkish Airlines flights. Passengers have shared experiences of encountering the pests, with some even sharing images of bites they received during their travels.

The New York Times highlighted these incidents, noting that passengers reported flight attendants dismissed their concerns about the bugs. One passenger, Patience Titcombe, encountered a bedbug while traveling from Johannesburg to Istanbul in March. "I had to strip down at the airport and change clothes because I have kids — what if I brought bedbugs home?" she told The New York Times.

In another incident in October, Matthew Myers was traveling to San Francisco from Istanbul when a fellow passenger warned him about bedbugs on his seat and falling from the ceiling. Many passengers requested seat changes due to the presence of the insects, with one even moving to an empty flight attendant jump seat. Myers received a 10% discount on future flights as compensation for his experience.

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Kristin Bourgeois also reported seeing bedbugs while flying from Washington, D.C., to Istanbul. She stated, "Before departure, I noticed a bug crawling on my blanket. When I found another on the pillow, I realized it was a bedbug."

Turkish Airlines responded to these reports by stating: "Regarding recent news reports about bedbugs, we would like to emphasize that Turkish Airlines remains steadfast in its commitment to the highest standards of safety and comfort." They acknowledged that bedbug cases can occur in public spaces and assured that affected aircraft undergo necessary inspections and treatments.

The airline maintains regular cleaning and sanitation procedures for its aircraft before every flight and works closely with manufacturers for effective disinsection processes. "Turkish Airlines prioritizes the safety and comfort of its passengers at all times," they added.

Turkish Airlines boasts an extensive international network covering 131 countries across six continents. It recently set a Guinness World Record for flying to the most countries by launching a new route to Santiago, Chile.