A family’s dream vacation to Serbia dissolved into a nightmare thousands of feet in the air, leaving them covered in painful, itchy bites. The Albuquerque family of Roanoke, Virginia, is now taking legal action against Delta Airlines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, alleging a terrifying encounter with bed bugs during their journey.
The ordeal began on a Delta flight from Roanoke to Atlanta, connecting to a KLM flight to Belgrade with a layover in Amsterdam. It was during the long haul over the Atlantic, on flight DL 9667, that the family first noticed something was terribly wrong.
Lisandra Garcia, the mother, was the first to feel the unsettling sensation of crawling insects. Soon, she realized the horrifying truth: bugs were actively biting her, leaving a trail of irritation in their wake. A seemingly innocent light-colored sweater became a canvas for the unwelcome invaders.
The family immediately alerted the flight attendants, hoping for swift action and relief. Instead, they claim they were met with a chilling request – to remain silent. The crew allegedly urged them not to alarm other passengers, fearing it would jeopardize their connecting flight.
Adding to their distress, flight attendants provided the family with plastic bags, instructing them to seal away any potentially contaminated items. The implication was clear: contain the problem, and don’t disrupt the travel experience for others.
Photographs included with the lawsuit paint a stark picture of the family’s suffering. A pre-flight selfie shows a happy family, blissfully unaware of the ordeal to come. But subsequent images reveal the boys’ bodies covered in angry, red welts and lesions.
The bites weren’t just a physical discomfort; they completely ruined the family’s long-awaited vacation. The constant itching and visible marks prevented them from enjoying their time in Serbia, casting a shadow over every experience.
Even after returning home to Virginia, the marks persisted, a lingering reminder of the harrowing flight. It wasn’t until they were back in familiar surroundings that the family began to see some improvement.
The Albuquerques are seeking $200,000 in damages, citing not only the physical suffering and medical expenses but also the emotional toll of the experience – the humiliation, anxiety, and profound disappointment of a ruined vacation.
Delta Airlines acknowledged the allegations but pointed out that the flights in question were operated by KLM. KLM, in turn, stated they are unable to comment on the specific claims at this time, promising to address the matter through legal channels.
The family’s attorneys report that, so far, neither airline has offered any settlement, leaving the Albuquerques to pursue justice through the courts. Their story serves as a disturbing reminder of the hidden dangers that can lurk even in the seemingly safe confines of air travel.
