A family from Virginia has launched a legal battle against Delta Air Lines and its partner, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, after a nightmare flight they claim was crawling with bedbugs. The lawsuit, filed on December 18, alleges the insects swarmed and bit the family during an international journey earlier this year, ruining their holiday and causing significant distress.
The Flight from Hell: Bugs in the Cabin
The Albuquerque family, hailing from Roanoke, Virginia, had booked a trip to Belgrade, Serbia, departing on March 21. They used Delta's SkyMiles programme to purchase tickets costing approximately $8,800 for flights operated by KLM. Their itinerary included a connecting KLM flight from Atlanta, coded as DL 9667, with a stop in Amsterdam.
According to the legal complaint, the ordeal began shortly after they boarded the flight to Amsterdam. Dr Albuquerque and Mrs Garcia were seated in front of their children. "Approximately two hours into the flight, Mrs Garcia began feeling like bugs were crawling on her and that she was being bitten," the filing states. She soon realised insects were visible on her light-coloured sweater.
Alleged Cover-Up and Lasting Consequences
The family asserts that when they alerted cabin crew, they were instructed to stay quiet to avoid alarming other passengers. The lawsuit makes a more serious allegation: "Prior to landing in Amsterdam, the flight attendants again urged Dr Albuquerque and Mrs Garcia not to tell anyone about the infestation because, if they did so, they would miss their connecting flight to Serbia."
The bites resulted in what the complaint describes as "raised and itchy welts, lesions, and rashes across their torsos and extremities." Photographic evidence submitted shows the children covered in angry red lumps on their necks, chests, and backs. Upon arrival in Serbia, the family was forced to boil all their clothing in a desperate attempt to kill any remaining bugs.
Medical Confirmation and Legal Action
The impact extended beyond the flight. The Albuquerques took their children to a paediatric clinic, where a doctor confirmed the injuries were bedbug bites. The doctor provided notes for school, stating the children were not contagious despite the visible marks. The complaint notes the children "suffered great embarrassment at school" as a result.
The legal action cites damages including humiliation, anxiety, medical expenses, and loss of personal items. The family is now seeking $200,000 in damages, plus interest. In responses to media enquiries, Delta stated the allegations relate to flights not operated by them and they will review the complaint. KLM said it was unable to comment on the specific allegations but would address the matter through legal channels.
