A family from Roanoke, Virginia, has filed a lawsuit against Delta Airlines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, alleging they were bitten by bed bugs on a flight that left them with painful welts and a ruined vacation.
The Allegations
The complaint, filed on Dec. 18, names Romulo Albuquerque, his wife Lisandra Garcia, and their children Benicio and Lorenzo Albuquerque as plaintiffs. The family claims that bed bugs infested the cabin of a Delta flight they took earlier in 2024, causing “raised and itchy welts, lesions, and rashes across their torsos and extremities.”
Photographs of the alleged injuries are included in the legal filing, and the suit states that the bites “ruined their family vacation and has caused humiliation, embarrassment, anxiety, discomfort, inconvenience, medical expenses, and loss of clothing and personal items.”
One child’s neck and chest are said to show visible bites, while the family’s videos capture bugs crawling on a light-colored sweater and moving in the creases of their seats.
Flight Details
The Albuquerque family took a Delta flight from Roanoke to Atlanta on March 21, followed by a KLM flight to Amsterdam and then to Belgrade, Serbia. The lawsuit notes that the KLM flight was operated by KLM and purchased through Delta’s SkyMiles program.
Approximately two hours into the Amsterdam leg, Mrs. Garcia felt bugs crawling on her sweater and realized that the insects were biting her. She and her husband immediately alerted flight attendants, who urged them to keep their voices down to avoid a “panic” on the airplane.
The suit also includes a photo of a KLM drink napkin covered in what appears to be dead bugs, further supporting the family’s claim of a bed-bug infestation.
Family’s Evidence
Albuquerque and Garcia documented the situation by taking photos and recording videos of the bugs on their clothing and in the cabin. The images in the suit show a KLM napkin with dead bugs and a jacket covered in suspected bed bugs.
The complaint states that the family’s medical expenses, loss of clothing, and emotional distress are all direct results of the alleged bites. The photos and videos are presented as evidence of the infestation and the injuries sustained.
Airlines’ Responses
Delta did not immediately respond to NBC News requests for comment. In a statement to People magazine, Delta said: “As this pending litigation eventually states, the allegations at issue relate to flights not operated by Delta Air Lines. Delta will review the complaint and respond accordingly in due course.”
KLM, on the other hand, told The Independent that the company was “unable to comment on the specific allegations at this time” but would address the matter in “the appropriate legal channels.”
Both airlines’ statements emphasize that they will review the complaint, but neither has provided a detailed rebuttal to the family’s claims.
Legal Context and Damages
The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages against both airlines in the amount of at least $200,000. The complaint details the physical and emotional harm suffered by the family, as well as the financial losses incurred.
The suit’s filing date of Dec. 18 places the case within the current legal calendar, and the plaintiffs have requested that the court consider the documented evidence and the airlines’ responses.
The family’s use of the SkyMiles program to purchase the KLM flight highlights the interconnected nature of airline partnerships, while the complaint stresses that the alleged infestation occurred on a flight not directly operated by Delta.
Key Takeaways
- A Roanoke family alleges bed-bug bites on a Delta flight to Atlanta and a subsequent KLM flight to Amsterdam.
- The lawsuit, filed Dec. 18, seeks at least $200,000 in damages for physical injuries and emotional distress.
- Delta and KLM have issued brief statements but have not yet provided a full rebuttal.
The case underscores the importance of passenger safety and the potential legal consequences for airlines when cabin hygiene issues arise. As the lawsuit proceeds, both airlines will likely need to address the evidence and the family’s claims in court.
Conclusion
The Albuquerque family’s lawsuit against Delta and KLM brings attention to a serious passenger safety issue that could have widespread implications for international travel. With the complaint filed and the airlines’ initial responses in place, the legal process will determine whether the alleged bed-bug infestation and resulting injuries hold up under scrutiny. The outcome will likely influence how airlines manage cabin cleanliness and respond to passenger complaints in the future.
