Air India Flight Returns to Chicago Mid-Flight Due to Lavatory Malfunction

Technical issue forces 10-hour journey back to origin, affecting nearly 300 passengers.

On March 5, 2025, Air India Flight 126, operating from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, was compelled to return to Chicago approximately 10 hours into its journey due to a significant technical issue with the aircraft’s lavatory system. The Boeing 777-300ER, carrying nearly 300 passengers, experienced the malfunction of 11 out of its 12 toilets while flying over Greenland, leaving only one operational lavatory in the business class section. ​

The flight had departed Chicago at 11:24 a.m. local time and, after approximately four and a half hours, encountered the lavatory issues, prompting the decision to turn back. The aircraft landed safely back at O’Hare at 9:08 p.m.

Upon arrival, all passengers and crew disembarked normally. Air India provided accommodations to minimize inconvenience and initiated alternative arrangements to transport passengers to their destination. The airline also offered full refunds on cancellations and complimentary rescheduling options. ​

While lavatory malfunctions can occur due to passengers flushing unauthorized items, leading to clogs, aviation consultant Mark Martin noted that it is “next to impossible for all lavatories to be clogged due to only passengers’ fault, and in a way that it causes an emergency diversion.”

This incident underscores the challenges airlines face in maintaining onboard facilities during long-haul flights and the importance of ensuring passenger comfort and safety.​