A Virginia family is suing Delta and KLM after bed bugs allegedly bit them on a multi-leg flight that began in Roanoke, Virginia, in March.
The Lawsuit
The complaint, filed Dec. 18, names Delta Airlines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines as defendants. The plaintiffs, Romulo Albuquerque, his wife Lisandra Garcia, and their children Benicio and Lorenzo, allege that the bites caused “raised and itchy welts, lesions, and rashes across their torsos and extremities.” The legal filing includes close-up photos of the alleged injuries.
Flight Details
The family took a Delta flight from Roanoke to Atlanta on March 21. They then boarded a KLM flight to Amsterdam and later flew to Belgrade, Serbia, where they planned to visit family and friends. The KLM flight was operated by KLM and the tickets were purchased through Delta’s SkyMiles program, according to the suit.
Allegations of Bed Bug Infestation
“Approximately two hours into the flight (to Amsterdam), Mrs. Garcia began feeling like bugs were crawling on her and that she was being bitten,” the lawsuit states. She realized that bugs were crawling on her light-colored sweater. The plaintiffs captured photos and videos of bugs crawling on her sweater and moving around “in the creases” of their seats, including a KLM drink napkin covered in what appears to be dead bugs. The lawsuit claims the bites “ruined their family vacation and has caused humiliation, embarrassment, anxiety, discomfort, inconvenience, medical expenses, and loss of clothing and personal items.”
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.” 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.”
Legal and Damages
The plaintiffs seek compensatory damages against both airlines in the amount of at least $200,000. The complaint also notes that the husband and wife immediately alerted flight attendants, who allegedly “urged them to keep their voices down to avoid a ‘panic’ on the airplane.”
Key Takeaways
- Virginia family sues Delta and KLM over bed bug bites on a March flight from Roanoke to Belgrade.
- Allegations include raised welts, lesions, and rashes, with photos of injuries and bugs on clothing.
- Airlines have issued statements but have not yet provided full responses; damages sought exceed $200,000.
The lawsuit underscores the challenges airlines face in addressing pest infestations and the impact such incidents can have on passengers and their travel plans.
