Hives and Rashes Reported... Photos and Videos Submitted to Court
Ticket Purchased from Delta, Flight Operated by KLM... Legal Dispute Over Responsibility Expected
A passenger has filed a massive damages lawsuit against American and European airlines, claiming to have suffered bedbug bites on an international flight from the United States to Europe. On December 25, Yonhap News, citing NBC and other sources, reported that a family who boarded an aircraft and developed itchy blisters and rashes all over their torso and limbs due to bedbug bites has filed a substantial claim for damages.
Previously, in March, Romulo Albuquerque, a resident of Virginia, traveled with his wife and two children on Delta Air Lines from Roanoke to Atlanta, then boarded a KLM flight from Amsterdam to Belgrade, Serbia. The issue arose about two hours after the flight to Amsterdam began. In their complaint, the Albuquerque family stated, "We felt bugs crawling and biting us," and "We directly observed bedbugs moving on our clothes and in the crevices of our seats." The family immediately notified the cabin crew of the situation, but claimed that the crew requested them to "keep their voices down to avoid causing panic among other passengers." They explained that there was no clear action taken afterward.
The Albuquerque family submitted photos and videos to the court showing bedbugs crawling on seats and clothing, as well as dead bugs placed on a beverage napkin provided by KLM. They stated that after being bitten by bedbugs, they experienced severe itching, swelling, hives, and rashes across their torso and limbs.
The flight in question was operated by KLM, a European airline, but the tickets were purchased through the Delta Air Lines 'SkyMiles' program. As a result, the Albuquerque family filed a lawsuit against both KLM and Delta Air Lines, seeking a total of 200,000 dollars (approximately 300 million won) in damages.
Similar Lawsuits Have Occurred in the Past... Renewed Debate Over In-Flight Hygiene Management
Disputes over hygiene issues on aircraft have been recurring in the past. In 2017, a passenger filed a lawsuit against United Airlines, claiming to have been bitten by bedbugs on an international flight. In 2023, controversy over the spread of bedbugs erupted across France, with multiple reports of bedbugs being discovered on certain flights and trains.
At the time, Air France and the French National Railway Company (SNCF) denied rumors of a large-scale outbreak, stating that "regular pest control and disinfection are conducted," but consumer anxiety over hygiene management in aircraft and public transportation did not subside easily. Experts point out that "bedbugs can easily be transferred via clothing or luggage, making it possible to find them not only in hotels but also in enclosed spaces such as airplanes and trains," adding, "Thorough inspections by airlines and prompt, transparent responses to issues are crucial." Depending on the outcome of this lawsuit, there may be significant implications for legal judgments regarding the scope of responsibility and hygiene management standards in cases where the airline operating the flight differs from the airline selling the ticket.
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