Airlines' passengers compelled to utilize bottles due to malfunctioning lavatories during flight

Stranded travelers endured an embarrassing predicament on a Virgin Australia flight en route from Bali to Brisbane, as the plane's lavatories malfunctioned in flight.

, and Administrator

2025 September 13 . 1:29 PM

2 min read

Passengers on a Virgin Australia flight endured an inconvenience when in-flight toilets... — Passengers on a Virgin Australia flight endured an inconvenience when in-flight toilets malfunctioned, compelling them to use bottles instead.

Airlines' passengers compelled to utilize bottles due to malfunctioning lavatories during flight

In a troubling incident, a Virgin Australia flight from Bali to Brisbane encountered an issue where all toilets went out of service mid-air, leaving passengers with no access to the lavatory for several hours.

The incident occurred on a Boeing 737 MAX 8 during a six-hour journey. The situation became increasingly dire as the remaining toilets also shut down, leaving passengers with no option but to use bottles as a makeshift facility.

The flight turned into a distressing experience for many passengers, with some describing it as "humiliating", "degrading", and "distressing". An elderly woman on the flight was unable to hold on and suffered the humiliation of wetting herself in public.

Emily McMillan, National Assistant Secretary of the Transport Workers' Union, described the situation as a "serious health hazard" for both crew and passengers. McMillan highlighted that aviation workers across the industry are increasingly exposed to safety and health risks.

The incident reflects a wider pattern of putting profits ahead of proper performance, according to McMillan. This is not an isolated incident, as another flight, Air India flight AI126, had to turn back due to malfunctioning toilets earlier this year. A total of 33 passengers on Air India flight AI126 had to endure a 10-hour round trip due to the malfunctioning toilets.

The cause of the lavatory failures on the Virgin Australia flight is currently under investigation. Urine seeped onto the cabin floor, and the aircraft filled with a disgusting smell. The cabin crew eventually apologized for the unbearable situation, and passengers were compensated for their inconvenience.

Passengers, including children, were visibly upset by the degrading, unsanitary conditions. Other passengers described the incident as a "nightmare" and "traumatic". The event where all toilets failed on the Virgin Australia flight from Denpasar (Bali) to Brisbane occurred during a flight, but the exact date is not provided.

Virgin Australia has not yet commented on the cause of the malfunction, but they have assured passengers that they are taking the incident seriously and are committed to ensuring the safety and comfort of their passengers.