A Virginia family is suing Delta Air Lines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, alleging bed bugs bit them during a transatlantic flight in March. The family claims the infestation caused injuries, humiliation, and financial losses during their planned vacation to Serbia.
The Albuquerque family from Roanoke, Virginia, filed the complaint last week. It says the cabin was infested with bed bugs, which repeatedly bit the family during the flight. The bites caused welts, lesions, and rashes across their bodies, prompting both physical discomfort and emotional distress.
The family—Romulo Albuquerque, his wife Lisandra Garcia, and their two children, Benicio and Lorenzo—began their journey on March 21 with a Delta flight from Roanoke to Atlanta. They then boarded KLM flights to Amsterdam and Belgrade. Tickets were purchased through Delta’s SkyMiles program, according to the lawsuit.
Two hours into the flight to Amsterdam, Lisandra Garcia reported feeling insects crawling on her and biting her skin. She and her husband alerted flight attendants, who allegedly instructed the family to remain quiet to avoid causing panic among other passengers. The lawsuit states that the bites continued throughout the journey.
Before landing in Amsterdam, flight attendants reportedly urged the couple not to report the infestation, warning that doing so could prevent them from boarding their connecting flight to Serbia. The Albuquerque family documented the incident with photos and videos showing bed bugs on a sweater, a napkin, and other areas of the cabin.
After arriving in Serbia, the family had to wash all clothing in boiling water to prevent further spread of the insects. The lawsuit also claims the experience caused embarrassment, anxiety, and additional expenses for clothing and medical treatment.
Images included in the lawsuit show visible bites on family members, as well as bed bugs on a KLM napkin and a sweater. The family is seeking $200,000 in damages for the ordeal.
Delta Air Lines stated that the allegations primarily relate to flights not operated by the company and said it will review the complaint and respond accordingly. KLM has not yet issued a public comment.
Bed bug infestations on flights are rare but can cause significant discomfort and stress for passengers. Airlines typically have protocols to manage in-flight hygiene and pest control, but complaints occasionally emerge when these measures fail.
This lawsuit highlights concerns over airline accountability for passenger health and safety. Legal experts say the outcome could influence how airlines manage sanitation, especially on long-haul international flights.
As the case proceeds, the Albuquerque family hopes to be compensated for medical costs, lost personal items, and the disruption of their family vacation. The lawsuit also brings attention to the broader issue of maintaining safe and clean conditions on commercial flights, particularly during transatlantic travel.
