Air India Flight 126 Returns to Chicago: Passengers aboard Air India Flight 126 endured an unpleasant experience when clogged toilets forced the aircraft to return to Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The Boeing 777-300ER, en route to Delhi, suffered multiple lavatory failures mid-flight, leaving hundreds of passengers without restroom access for nearly 10 hours.
Air India Flight 126 Faces In-Flight Toilet Disaster
The incident occurred on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, shortly after takeoff from Chicago. According to The Aviation Herald, several lavatories onboard stopped functioning a few hours into the journey. With only one working toilet available in the business-class section, the airline made the tough decision to turn back.
Passengers Stuck in Air India Flight for Almost 10 Hours
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 revealed that Air India Flight 126 departed Chicago 30 minutes late at 11:24 AM local time. The plane followed its usual path over Canada and Greenland before reaching Icelandic airspace. However, with worsening restroom conditions, the flight was forced to make a U-turn, landing back in Illinois after 9 hours and 50 minutes in the air.
Air India Responds to Toilet Malfunction Incident
The airline attributed the return to a “technical issue” without detailing the exact cause of the clogged toilets. Upon landing, passengers were offered compensation options, including a full refund or the ability to rebook their flights at no additional cost.
What’s Next for Air India After This Toilet Crisis?
The affected Boeing 777-300ER remains grounded in Chicago as maintenance teams assess the problem. This latest incident raises concerns about the airline’s maintenance protocols and passenger experience on long-haul flights.
While all passengers were safe, the ordeal highlighted the importance of proper aircraft maintenance to prevent such in-flight disruptions. It remains to be seen how Air India will address these operational setbacks moving forward.
