Air India Flight Returns to US After 10 Hours in Air

Photo: Instagram/@airindia

An Air India flight from Chicago to Delhi had to turn back after flying for more than 10 hours on Thursday. The airline said the plane returned due to a technical issue, but a source revealed that the real reason was clogged lavatories.

The flight, AI126, was operated by a Boeing 777-337 ER aircraft. According to flight tracking website Flightradar24, it had already spent over 10 hours in the air before heading back to Chicago's O’Hare International Airport (ORD).

A source familiar with the matter said the aircraft had 10 lavatories, including two for first-class passengers. However, only one was working, which caused a major issue during the long-haul flight. With more than 340 passengers on board, the situation made it difficult to continue the journey to India.

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After the plane landed safely in Chicago, all passengers and crew got off the aircraft normally. Air India arranged hotel accommodations for affected travelers to reduce their inconvenience. The airline also assured that alternative travel arrangements were being made so that passengers could reach their destination as soon as possible.

In a statement, an Air India spokesperson confirmed that the flight had to return due to a technical issue. The airline is offering full refunds to passengers who choose to cancel their trip. Those who wish to continue their journey can also opt for free rescheduling.