Family Files Lawsuit Against Delta and KLM After Bedbug Attack During Flight

Delta Air Lines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines face a lawsuit from a Virginia family claiming they were bitten by bedbugs during a flight. The family alleges multiple bites caused painful welts and rashes, severely affecting their vacation.

The Albuquerque family, from Roanoke, said the bites occurred on a flight from Atlanta to Amsterdam operated by KLM. According to the complaint, the family took a Delta flight to Atlanta before boarding the KLM flight purchased through Delta’s SkyMiles program.

The family claims bedbugs swarmed their seats about two hours into the flight to Amsterdam. Lisandra Garcia, one of the passengers, reported feeling bugs crawling on her and biting her. She noticed the insects on her light-colored sweater and alerted flight attendants.

According to the lawsuit, flight attendants advised the family to keep quiet to avoid panic on the plane. The family documented the infestation with photos and videos showing bugs on clothing and their seats. The evidence also includes a KLM napkin covered with suspected dead bedbugs.

The bite injuries caused the family to suffer raised welts, lesions, and itching across their bodies. The lawsuit states the incident caused humiliation, discomfort, anxiety, and medical expenses. Additionally, the family reported loss of clothing and personal items due to the infestation.

The plaintiffs named in the case are Romulo Albuquerque, his wife Lisandra Garcia, and their two children, Benicio and Lorenzo. The legal filing requests compensatory damages of at least $200,000 from both airlines.

Delta issued a statement clarifying the allegations involve flights not operated by their airline and said it will respond in due course. KLM declined to comment specifically on the accusations but indicated the issue will be addressed through legal channels.

This case highlights growing concerns about pest control and passenger safety on international flights. It also raises questions about airline responsibilities when a connecting flight causes harm. As litigation proceeds, both airlines face scrutiny over their handling of the reported bedbug infestation.