Bed Bugs on Plane
British Airways passenger bitten '150 times' by bed bugs in business class plane
A BRITISH AIRWAYS passenger has complained to the airline after experiencing bed bugs during a long haul journey from Kent to Cape Town, and receiving 150 bites as a result.
The British Airways passenger was flying business class to Cape Town, and woke up to find blood spots on his pillow.
Mike Gregory, 35, didn’t realise what had happened until the next day on New Year’s Eve, when he began itching.
He said he was soon covered up to 150 itchy bites: ‘I had an incredibly itchy waist, torso and hands,”
‘I realised I had been bitten 120 to 150 times,” he predicted.
A trip to the doctor soon confirmed the bites were in fact from bed bugs.
“I was shocked and obviously appalled by it,” he said.
“I was amazed it was even possible to have bedbugs on a flight. It has ruined my family holiday.”
The businessman, who spends £30,000 a year flying between Kent and Cape Town, said the incident was “not acceptable”.
"It means it is quite likely that other passengers were bitten,” he added.
A British Airways representative provided Express.co.uk with a comment on the incident.
“We have been in touch with Mr Gregory to apologise for his experience.
“The presence of bed bugs is an issue faced occasionally by hotels and airlines all over the world. British Airways operates more than 280,000 flights on 280 routes every year, and reports of bed bugs on board are extremely rare.
“Nevertheless, we are vigilant and continually monitor our aircraft.
“The comfort of our customers is always a top priority and a specialist team took immediate steps to resolve this issue.”
By Francesca Specter
PUBLISHED: 15:45, Sat, Jan 13, 2018 | UPDATED: 15:57, Sat, Jan 13, 2018
See also: Bed Bugs gound Plane
