Family Alleges Bedbug Nightmare on Transatlantic Flight, Takes Airlines to Court
A routine family trip overseas has now turned into a major legal battle after a Virginia family claimed their vacation was derailed by an unsettling and painful experience high above the Atlantic. According to a newly filed lawsuit, a family of four says they were swarmed and bitten by bedbugs during an international flight, leading them to sue Delta Air Lines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines for damages.
The family, from Roanoke, Virginia, had been traveling in March with plans to visit relatives and friends in Serbia. Their journey began with a Delta flight from Roanoke to Atlanta, followed by a KLM-operated flight to Amsterdam, and then onward to Belgrade. Tickets were purchased through Delta’s SkyMiles program, but the long-haul portion of the trip was operated by KLM, which is where the alleged incident occurred.
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According to the lawsuit, about two hours into the flight to Amsterdam, the mother began feeling an uncomfortable sensation, as if something were crawling on her skin. That feeling soon turned alarming when she realized she was being bitten. It is alleged that bedbugs were seen crawling on her light-colored sweater and in the creases of the airplane seats. Photos and videos were reportedly taken as evidence, showing insects on clothing, napkins, and seating areas.
The family claims flight attendants were alerted but allegedly asked them to keep their voices down to avoid causing panic among other passengers. It is also alleged that they were discouraged from openly discussing the situation, with concerns raised about missing their connecting flight if the issue escalated. Throughout the remainder of the flight, the family says they continued to be bitten.
Once the trip ended, the consequences did not. The lawsuit states that all four family members developed raised, itchy welts, rashes, and lesions across their bodies. What was meant to be a joyful family visit was instead overshadowed by discomfort, embarrassment, anxiety, and the need for medical attention. Clothing and personal items were reportedly discarded or treated with extreme measures, including being washed in boiling water, to prevent further infestation.
The family is now seeking at least $200,000 in compensatory damages, citing physical injury, emotional distress, medical expenses, and the overall loss of enjoyment of their vacation. Delta has stated that the flights in question were not operated by the airline and that the complaint will be reviewed and addressed through legal channels. KLM has similarly said it cannot comment on the specific allegations while the matter is pending.
As the case moves forward, it raises uncomfortable questions about aircraft cleanliness, passenger safety, and how airlines respond when something goes wrong at 35,000 feet.
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