On December 18, a family from Roanoke, Virginia, filed a lawsuit against Delta Airlines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, alleging that a March 21 flight carried bed bugs that bit them, causing severe skin reactions and ruining a planned vacation. The Albuquerque family-Romulo Albuquerque, his wife Lisandra Garcia, and their children Benicio and Lorenzo-claims the bites produced raised and itchy welts, lesions, and rashes across their torsos and extremities. In the complaint, the family says the injuries caused humiliation, embarrassment, anxiety, discomfort, inconvenience, medical expenses, and loss of clothing and personal items. Photos of the alleged bites are included in the legal filing.
The Lawsuit
Delta and KLM are named as defendants in the complaint, which was filed on December 18. The lawsuit claims that the bites ruined the family’s vacation and inflicted emotional and physical harm. The plaintiffs seek compensatory damages of at least $200,000. The complaint also states that the family recorded videos and took photographs of the bugs crawling on their clothing and around their seats. One child was photographed with suspected bed-bug bites visible on his neck and chest, and a KLM drink napkin covered in what appears to be dead bugs was also presented as evidence.
Flight Timeline
The family’s journey began with a Delta flight from Roanoke to Atlanta on March 21, followed by a KLM flight to Amsterdam and then to Belgrade, Serbia, where they planned to visit family and friends. The lawsuit states that the flights were operated by KLM and purchased through Delta’s SkyMiles program. Approximately two hours into the flight to Amsterdam, Mrs. Garcia began feeling like bugs were crawling on her and realized that bugs were crawling on her light-colored sweater. The husband and wife immediately alerted the flight attendants, who allegedly urged them to keep their voices down to avoid a ‘panic’ on the airplane.
Alleged Bed Bug Evidence
The lawsuit includes close-up photographs of the alleged injuries and a photo of a KLM drink napkin covered in what appears to be dead bugs. The plaintiffs say they captured videos and images of the insects crawling on their sweater and moving around in the creases of their seats. The family’s attorney highlighted a picture of a child with suspected bites on his neck and chest. The complaint also presents a jacket and napkin covered in the suspected bed bugs from the KLM flight, further supporting the claim that the cabin was infested.
Airlines’ Responses
Delta Airlines 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 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.” Neither airline provided a detailed rebuttal in the lawsuit filing.
Legal Claim Amount
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory damages against both airlines in the amount of at least $200,000. This figure reflects the alleged medical expenses, loss of personal items, and the emotional distress caused by the bed bug infestation. The lawsuit does not specify a maximum cap, but it indicates that the family expects substantial compensation for the harm suffered during the flight and subsequent travel.
Damage Details
The complaint lists several categories of damage, including medical costs, loss of clothing, and emotional suffering. The family claims that the bites caused them to seek medical attention, resulting in additional expenses. They also argue that the infestation disrupted their travel plans, leading to inconvenience and loss of time. The lawsuit asserts that the emotional impact included humiliation and embarrassment, which the plaintiffs believe should be compensated.
Key Takeaways
- Family from Roanoke, Virginia filed lawsuit on Dec. 18 against Delta and KLM.
- Allegations involve bed bugs on a March 21 flight causing skin injuries and emotional distress.
- Plaintiffs seek at least $200,000 in compensatory damages.
Closing
Delta and KLM have yet to issue detailed responses, but both airlines have indicated they will review the complaint and address the allegations through legal channels. The case remains pending, and its outcome may influence how airlines handle pest infestations and passenger complaints in the future. The lawsuit highlights the importance of swift action and thorough investigation when passengers report health-related incidents during flights.
