An American Airlines passenger shared a photo of a bed bug on his flight 4412 from New York LaGuardia to Detroit. The first class passenger found the bug “crawling on [his leg mid flight” while seated in first class.
I put it on the cocktail napkin to show the FA who promptly informed the Captain using the phone/intercom. I had to change my clothes in the airport and bagged them. They are being washed right now. Hoping no stragglers got on my backpack or checked bag during the clothing swap. I already logged a complaint with AA.
Despite this, the aircraft – an Embraer E175 regional jet operated for American by Republic Airways – continued to fly as-scheduled.
The passenger added,
I saw the bug crawling on my pant leg while I was reading my book. It was a sharp contrast to the dark pant color. I was able to have it climb on my finger and then put it on the napkin to show the FA. Damn thing tried to bite my finger! SO GROSS!!
[LGA/DTW] Bed Bugged on Flight Today
byu/HaddawayThrowaway978 inamericanairlines
I’ve written about the American Airlines Roach Coach, a Boeing 777 that had to be taken out of service for more than two months because of an insect infestation. Today it flies mostly to London Heathrow and back.
American Airlines – like other carriers – flies to a wide variety of destinations, taking on a variety of passengers (and, internationally on widebodies, cargo) and people bring things on that they probably shouldn’t. Planes get infested with a variety of insects. American elevates treatment of cockroaches on widebodies, though that can be deferred, and other insects are treated on an ad hoc basis.
American Airlines treats bed bugs with a “single, ad-hoc treatment process.” Republic manages the planes it’s flying for American, and though Tulsa is an American Airlines maintenance base, they generally perform work in places like Indianapolis, Columbus and Pittsburgh. This plane is scheduled to operate to New York LaGuradia, Greenville Spartanburg, and Des Moines today.
(HT: JohnnyJet)
Not sure the proof is there from this version the bug came from the plane. Maybe it came on board attached to the passenger.
I wonder if treatment of bugs leaves a toxic residue.
No one should think about what lurks in the dark corners of planes. Never look under your seat.
There’s an old song about this!
https://youtu.be/Inpem_mwo2o
What’s the tail number of the infested plane?
Had a bedbug issue when I lived in LA. They are an absolute nightmare to rid yourself of and only heat kills not and of the sprays does anything….
Yes, taking the plane out of service would cost AA. However, when my office got bedbugs from one person, it was spread by the cleaning crew. Then people who accidentally & unknowingly took them home spent thousands of dollars to treat homes. It was many months before they stopped showing up in janitor closets.
My point is bedbugs on a plane may cost the airline to address, but NOT addressing it IMMEDIATELY could cost the customers of that a lot more, monetarily and in months of mental health stress.
@E-lectric
N413YX
Clearly AA needs to fumigate passengers before allowing them to board.
@David I’ve been on planes that fumigate everyone. I used to fly so many different international airlines every week that I can’t remember which one did it, but it’s definitely has been done.
When the quality of passengers goes down, then you get these bug problems. They bring them with them from their homes with no concern for others.
Oh lord!! It’s a freaking bug!! No wonder there are so entitled snowflakes living amongst us!! Find something better to bitch about or get tf off the plane!!
Gary you keep sinking lower and lower. You print this rubbish with zero proof that the bed bug was in fact on the aircraft before passengers boarded. You know very well bed bugs thrive more in hotels and this one was probably a hitchhiker from either the hotel or even the passengers home.
Shame on you. I’m really surprised the airlines don’t ban you from ever flying on them again.
Bed bugs can be picked up on the bottom sole of a shoe, they can be from an upper class home as well as from a modest home. They are equal opportunity insects.
I heard the New York area has a bigger bug problem. Bed bugs don’t care if they are in first class or coach
Could have got it from a Hotel room
Kelly Steward-
I can’t tell if it is a bed bug, but bed bugs are NOT just bugs.
If one of them comes home with you (or to your hotel with you), it can lead to an immense infestation that is very changing and expensive to be rid of.
So THAT’S what a bed bug looks like! Thanks Gary!