British Airways grounded a Boeing 747 following a passenger complaint about being bitten by bedbugs.
Californian Zane Selkirk says she was bitten by the bugs during two separate flights and was so outraged by the ordeal and the unhelpful treatment she received from BA crew that she started up a website about the bugs, www.ba-bites.com
Ms Selkirk says she was bitten during two trips, on a Los Angeles to London flight on January 28 and a Bangalore to London flight on February 5. She reports spotting the bugs on the seat in front of her during the first flight and then being infested with them during the journey.
She then encountered the bugs again on the next trip.
Selkirk wrote to BA: “Not only was the experience itself absolutely disgusting, but your staff (nearly without exception) were revolting to me personally throughout the ordeal.”
She says BA only contacted her about the bugs once newspapers had started getting involved in her story.
BA confirmed it had taken the plane out of service to treat the bugs before returning it back to work.
The carrier told the Daily Telegraph: “British Airways operates more than 250,000 flights every year, and reports of bed bugs onboard are extremely rare. Nevertheless, we are vigilant about the issue and continually monitor our aircraft.
“Whenever any report of bed bugs is received, we launch a thorough investigation and, if appropriate, remove the aircraft from service and use specialist teams to treat it.”
by Dinah Hatch
