A family from Virginia has launched a federal lawsuit against two major airlines, claiming their expensive business-class holiday was destroyed by a severe bed bug infestation during a transatlantic flight.
A Vacation Turned Into a Nightmare
Ophthalmologist Romulo Albuquerque, his wife Lisandra Garcia, and their two children were travelling from the United States to Belgrade, Serbia, on 21 March. The journey, booked through Delta's SkyMiles programme for $8,800, involved a KLM-operated flight from Atlanta to Amsterdam.
Approximately two hours into the KLM flight, Mrs Garcia began feeling bites and noticed bugs crawling on her light-coloured sweater. The family immediately alerted the cabin crew. According to the legal complaint, the flight attendants urged them to keep their voices down to avoid causing panic among other passengers.
Injuries and a Ruined Trip
The family documented the insects with photos and videos before being bitten repeatedly. The complaint states the bites resulted in large red welts and rashes across the children's necks, torsos, legs, and arms, with similar injuries on the parents.
"Due to the visible marks on their skin and unrelenting itchy feeling," the family was unable to enjoy their holiday. The complaint adds that Mrs Garcia still bears scars from the bites. After landing, they washed all clothing in boiling water and sought medical advice, with a doctor later confirming the injuries were from bed bugs.
Airlines Respond to Legal Action
The family's attorneys, Matt Broughton and Jared Tuck, stated they attempted to settle the matter out of court but were ignored by the carriers. The lawsuit names both KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Delta Air Lines as defendants, seeking $200,000 in compensatory damages plus interest.
In response, a Delta spokesman emphasised the allegations relate to a flight not operated by Delta, while a KLM spokeswoman said the company was unable to comment on specifics but would address the claims through legal channels.
Travel experts note that bed bugs on aircraft are more common than many admit, with fabric seats providing a haven for the pests. The incident highlights the potential health and safety risks travellers can face even in premium cabins.
