Virginia Family Sues Delta and KLM After Alleged Bed Bug Infestation on Transatlantic Flight
ROANOKE, Va. — A Virginia family has filed a lawsuit against Delta Air Lines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, alleging they were bitten and injured by bed bugs during a transatlantic flight earlier this year. The Albuquerque family, residents of Roanoke, claims the infestation occurred aboard a flight from Roanoke to Belgrade, Serbia, via Atlanta and Amsterdam on March 21, 2025.
According to court documents, Romulo Albuquerque, his wife Lisandra Garcia, and their two children, Benicio and Lorenzo, began experiencing bites and discomfort just two hours into the KLM-operated flight from Atlanta to Amsterdam. Mrs. Garcia reportedly felt bugs crawling on her and biting her, prompting the family to alert a flight attendant. The suit alleges that the attendant instructed them to keep quiet to avoid causing panic among other passengers.
Images attached to the lawsuit show what the family describes as bed bugs on a napkin and a sweater, as well as raised, itchy welts and rashes on their bodies. The bites reportedly caused significant physical discomfort and emotional distress, including humiliation and anxiety, which the family says ruined their vacation. They also incurred medical expenses and suffered loss of clothing and personal items due to the infestation.
The family’s itinerary included a Delta flight from Roanoke to Atlanta, followed by KLM flights to Amsterdam and then Belgrade. The tickets were purchased through Delta’s SkyMiles program. The complaint alleges that flight attendants discouraged the family from reporting the infestation publicly before landing in Amsterdam, warning that doing so could cause them to miss their connecting flight.
Upon arrival in Serbia, the Albuquerque family had to wash their clothes in boiling water to mitigate the effects of the infestation. The lawsuit seeks damages for the physical and emotional injuries sustained, as well as compensation for related expenses.
Delta Air Lines responded to the lawsuit by stating that the allegations pertain to flights not operated by Delta and that the company will review the complaint and respond accordingly. KLM has not issued a public statement.
Bed bug infestations on aircraft are rare but have been reported in the past, raising concerns about passenger safety and airline hygiene protocols. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that bed bugs can be transported via luggage and personal belongings, making vigilance important during travel. Airlines are subject to regulations by the Federal Aviation Administration and must maintain sanitary conditions onboard.
Consumer advocates emphasize the importance of reporting such incidents to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division, which oversees complaints related to air travel. The department encourages passengers to document and report any pest-related issues encountered during flights.
The Albuquerque family’s lawsuit highlights the challenges passengers face when dealing with unexpected health hazards during air travel and may prompt closer scrutiny of airline pest control measures. As the case proceeds in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, it underscores the ongoing need for transparency and accountability in the airline industry.
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