Archive · 26 Dec 2025
US family sues Delta and KLM over bed bugs on flight
A family from Virginia is suing two airlines, Delta and KLM, because they say bed bugs bit them during a flight to Serbia.
The family says the bugs were on their seats and clothes, and the flight attendants told them to stay quiet so other passengers wouldn't get scared.
The family is asking for $200,000 to cover the problems the bugs caused.
Delta says the flight wasn't their fault, and KLM says they can't talk about it right now but will handle it in court.
The family says they had to deal with itching and discomfort for the rest of their trip.
A family of four from Virginia filed a lawsuit against Delta and KLM over a bed bug infestation on a transatlantic flight in March 2023.
The family alleges that bed bugs bit them multiple times during the flight and that flight attendants urged them to stay quiet.
The lawsuit seeks $200,000 in damages for physical and emotional distress caused by the infestation.
Delta stated that the allegations relate to flights not operated by them, while KLM said they would address the matter in legal channels.
The family claims they were provided plastic bags for their belongings upon arrival in Amsterdam but still suffered discomfort on their onward flight to Serbia.
- Who
- A family of four from Virginia, USA, including Romulo Albuquerque, Lisandra Garcia, and their two children, Benicio and Lorenzo Albuquerque
- What
- A federal lawsuit seeking $200,000 in damages from Delta Air Lines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines over a bed bug infestation on a transatlantic flight
- When
- The incident occurred in March 2023, and the lawsuit was filed on December 18, 2023
- Where
- The flight was from Roanoke, Virginia, to Belgrade, Serbia, with stops in Atlanta and Amsterdam
- Why
- The family alleges that a bed bug infestation on the flight caused them physical and emotional distress, ruining their vacation
- Plaintiffs
- Romulo Albuquerque, Lisandra Garcia, Benicio Albuquerque, Lorenzo Albuquerque
- Airlines Involved
- Delta Air Lines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Flight Details
- Roanoke, Virginia to Belgrade, Serbia via Atlanta and Amsterdam
- Date of Incident
- March 2023
- Damages Sought
- $200,000
- Court
- US District Court for the Western District of Virginia
- Date of Lawsuit Filing
- December 18, 2023
