Virginia family covered in ‘itchy welts, lesions and rashes’ from bed bug-infested KLM flight: lawsuit
Virginia Parents Sue KLM and Delta Over Bed‑Bug Reported on International Flight
A family from Roanoke, Virginia, has filed a federal lawsuit against KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Delta Air Lines, claiming they suffered a severe bed‑bug infestation on a KLM flight operated through Delta. The complaint, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia—Roanoke Division—details that the Albuquerques—Romulo Albuquerque and his wife—along with their two children, all experienced “itchy welts, lesions and rashes” after a stopover in Amsterdam on a trip to Belgrade, Serbia.
The Trip and the Alleged Infestation
The parents booked a Delta flight out of Roanoke to Atlanta and then boarded a connecting KLM flight that departed from Atlanta, paused over Amsterdam, and ultimately arrived in Belgrade on March 21. Both legs were operated by KLM, and the tickets were purchased through Delta’s SkyMiles loyalty program, the lawsuit states.
About two hours into the flight to Amsterdam, Albuquerque’s wife reported feeling as if insects were crawling on her. She later realized that bugs were actively moving across her light‑colored sweater. She told flight attendants, who, according to the complaint, advised staying calm to avoid panic among passengers.
Evidence and Physical Impact
Albuquerque filmed and photographed the insects, capturing images of small, blood‑stained mites on a KLM drink napkin. The photos, included in the allegations, depict the family—each with red, irritated marks along arms, legs, and torsos—suggesting several bed‑bug bites. The parents describe the condition as “ruining the vacation and causing humiliation, embarrassment, anxiety, discomfort, inconvenience, medical expenses, and loss of clothing and personal items.”
Legal Demands
The lawsuit seeks at least $200,000 in compensatory damages from both airlines, citing the physical and emotional toll the infestation had on the family.
Airlines Respond
Delta’s spokesperson stated in a People magazine interview that the allegation concerns flights not operated directly by Delta, and the company is reviewing the claim. KLM, in a remark to The Independent, said it could not comment on the specifics at this time but would address the matter through appropriate legal channels.
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