Chicago to Delhi Air India flight made a shocking 10-hour U-turn as a Boeing 777 suffered a mid-air technical failure, forcing an emergency return to Chicago.
An Air India flight operating between Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) was forced to return to its departure point after flying for more than ten hours on March 6, 2025.
The airline cited a technical issue as the reason for the unscheduled return. However, sources familiar with the situation revealed that the problem stemmed from multiple clogged lavatories aboard the aircraft.
Details of the Flight Incident
The flight, designated AI126, was operated on a Boeing 777-300ER registered as VT-ALQ, a 15.6-year-old aircraft powered by GE90 engines. According to Flightradar24, the aircraft had already covered a significant portion of its journey before turning back toward Chicago O’Hare.
The Boeing 777-300ER used for the flight is equipped with ten lavatories, including two designated for first-class passengers. The in-flight plumbing issue made it impractical for the long-haul journey to continue, leading the crew to return to Chicago as a precaution.
An Air India spokesperson confirmed the flight’s return and assured that affected passengers were offered either a full refund or a free rescheduling option for their journey.
Other Recent Flight Disruptions
This incident is not the first time a technical issue has forced an aircraft to return mid-flight.
- United Airlines Flight UA164
A United Airlines Boeing 777-200ER (registered N79011) operating between Newark (EWR) and Dubai (DXB) encountered a technical malfunction on March 6, 2025. The aircraft, which departed from Newark at 3:08 AM UTC, experienced difficulties at 19,000 feet and had to burn excess fuel before safely returning to Newark Airport at 4:41 AM UTC. - Air India Express Flight IX2563
On January 25, 2025, an Air India Express Airbus A320 flying from Bengaluru (BLR) to Visakhapatnam (VTZ) also turned back due to a technical issue. Shortly after takeoff at 4:46 AM UTC, the aircraft faced complications at 20,000 feet, prompting the crew to abandon the ascent and return to Bengaluru. The aircraft executed a heavy landing at 5:27 AM UTC (10:57 AM local time) without the usual fuel burn-off.
With recent technical difficulties affecting multiple airlines, these incidents highlight the importance of stringent safety protocols and quick decision-making by flight crews to ensure passenger safety.
The post Chicago To Delhi Air India Flight In Disarray As Boeing 777 Heads Back To Chicago After Hours In The Sky Due To Mid-Air System Failure appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
