Originally Posted by Transpacificflyer

It's time to stop being politically correct and overly sensitive to some peoples' hurt feelings. There is a worldwide surge in bedbugs in part because of the restricted the use of the insecticides which were effective but were abused in jurisdictions where they were easily available and not subject to controlled and targeted use. We cannot go back to widespread use, but we can use safely under controlled circumstances. If some people are upset, they need not use the airline. The issue is that some countries can't follow pesticide instructions and we see that with antibiotics which were handed out like candy in some countries creating superbugs.
Chronic Bedbug infections also reflect poor cleanliness standards despite the assertions to the contrary. Current bed bug philosophy in the EU and North America (excluding Mexico) is similar to that of of head lice where we are told it is "normal" and that children should not be excluded. The "experts" have discounted the emotional trauma and strain inflicted on those who do not have body lice or bed bugs and who are forced to associate with infested subjects. It has to be all inclusive now. Well, despite some of the dismissive nature of several responses, this issue is of serious concern to many passengers.

The reality is that BA serves countries and hubs where bedbugs are endemic and those countries provide a reservoir of reinfestation. Too many people would be up in arms if all baggage and aircraft entering from these hot spots were subject to treatment/screening. We do it for hard goods and produce entering from those regions without protest. Appreciably, it would present a logistics nightmare, however, it is possible to pre-treat and clean seats after servicing the regions. It is not difficult to screen. There are animals which are able to pick up the scent of the bugs and they are used successfully in hotels, schools, hospitals movie theaters etc.

BA has a documented problem with bedbugs and has not acted appropriately. It needs a PR crisis to compel and force it to act. If the issue continues to be ignored and downplayed, that problem will occur, but only after thousands of BA customers are caused stress and emotional trauma.

Originally Posted by c502cid

As someone who brought bedbugs home once I'm very OCD about checking my hotel room for them when I check in. It's airplanes that scare me. Not so much the seats, but the overhead bins and the cargo holds where luggage is in contact with other luggage. I'm surprised we don't hear more about bedbugs on planes!

Originally Posted by ABlue

There are plenty of resources around for what to check in a hotel room to try to identify/avoid bed bugs and I do pack clothes in Ziploc bags, but I haven’t found any useful advice for planes other than not to use the airline provided bedding (does that mean the bedding isn’t properly cleaned or stored and could be part of the problem?). I’m flying Club World for the first time this spring and am disappointed by the terrible reports I’m seeing, including bed bug incidents. For those of you that fly frequently, any tips on how to reduce risk of bringing bed bugs home from a flight? I normally don’t even use the bedding in economy, but at least would like a pillow since the whole point of flying CW was to be able to sleep. Thanks!

Originally Posted by pwacher

In response, I believe BA are rolling out their new premium pax pajamas as we speak.

Originally Posted by ABlue

For those of you that fly frequently, any tips on how to reduce risk of bringing bed bugs home from a flight? I normally don’t even use the bedding in economy, but at least would like a pillow since the whole point of flying CW was to be able to sleep.

Originally Posted by corporate-wage-slave

I fly Club World more than most, to the best of my knowledge I've never brought bed bugs back with me or seen one (on any airline actually). I don't do anything special to avoid them. There again I live on a working farm so there are plenty of creepy crawlies out there.