AMSTERDAM- A Virginia family has filed a federal lawsuit after alleging that their transatlantic journey aboard KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL) turned into a distressing ordeal due to a bed bug infestation in the aircraft cabin.
The incident occurred during travel from Roanoke Regional Airport (ROA) to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), with onward connections to Serbia. The family had booked business-class tickets through Delta Air Lines (DL) under a code-share arrangement, with the long-haul segment operated by KLM.
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KLM Sued by Virginia Family
The journey began without incident on a Delta-operated domestic flight from Roanoke to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
From there, the family boarded a KLM-operated transatlantic service to Amsterdam, before continuing to Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG) as their final destination.
According to the complaint, what was meant to be a premium travel experience quickly deteriorated into what they describe as an “unrelenting itchy” and physically painful episode that ruined their entire trip.
Roughly two hours into the overnight flight to Europe, one of the passengers began experiencing sensations consistent with insect bites. The complaint states that visible insects were soon discovered on clothing and within the seams of the business-class seats occupied by the family.
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Onboard Response Allegations
According to court filings, the family immediately alerted the cabin crew after identifying the insects.
They allege that flight attendants discouraged them from speaking openly about the issue, citing concerns about passenger panic and potential disruption to the flight.
The family documented the insects using photos and videos during the flight.
Despite repeated bites affecting both adults and their two children, they remained in their seats for the duration of the journey, later receiving plastic bags from crew members to isolate their belongings before disembarkation.
Medical Impact and Aftermath
The lawsuit describes extensive skin reactions, including large red welts across the necks, torsos, arms, and legs of all four passengers.
The symptoms reportedly persisted throughout the trip and only began to fade after the family returned to the United States.
Medical consultations following their return confirmed bed bug bites, according to the filing.
Treatment included topical medications, antihistamines, and extensive decontamination measures at home and in their vehicle, including disposal of clothing and personal items due to contamination concerns.
The complaint further notes that the visible injuries caused emotional distress, particularly for the children, who experienced embarrassment upon returning to school. One adult family member is also reported to have permanent scarring from the bites.
Similar Incident
A passenger traveling on Delta Air Lines (DL) reported spotting a live bed bug during a domestic flight, raising concerns about onboard hygiene and crew response. The incident occurred on a short-haul route within the United States.
The flight operated from Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, Greenville (GSP), to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Atlanta (ATL), with the passenger later sharing her experience publicly after expressing dissatisfaction with how the situation was handled.
In-Flight Hygiene Concerns Emerge on Delta Route
According to the passenger’s account, the bed bug was seen crawling from the seatback in front of her shortly after the flight began. Unsure how to respond, she used an in-flight sickness bag to capture the insect before notifying a member of the cabin crew.
The passenger stated that the flight attendant appeared dismissive and took the bag without offering reassurance, guidance, or follow-up action. She reported feeling unsettled for the remainder of the flight and claimed to experience multiple bites before landing.
Following the journey, the passenger shared her experience online, where it quickly gained traction and drew criticism of Delta’s handling of the situation. The post was flagged by aviation monitoring outlet PYOK, adding further visibility to the incident.
Airline Response and Passenger Compensation
Delta Air Lines later offered the passenger $100 in compensation. The passenger described the amount as inadequate, citing continued discomfort from itching and concern about potentially bringing bed bugs into her home.
No public statement from Delta confirmed whether the aircraft was removed from service for inspection or treatment following the report. This lack of clarity fueled frustration among commenters who questioned the airline’s cleaning and pest control protocols.
Online aviation enthusiasts identified the aircraft operating the route as a Boeing 737 that is approximately 24 years old. While aircraft age alone does not determine cleanliness, commenters questioned whether older cabins receive sufficient deep cleaning between rotations.
The incident reportedly occurred on August 21, 2025, and observers noted that the aircraft appeared to continue flying scheduled services without visible extended ground time for fumigation or intensive cleaning.
Bottom Line
The family is seeking $200,000 in compensatory damages, citing physical injury, emotional suffering, medical expenses, and loss of enjoyment of travel.
Both Delta and KLM are named as defendants, although Delta has stated the flight was not operated by its airline, while KLM has indicated it will address the matter through legal channels.
The case adds renewed scrutiny to aircraft cabin hygiene and passenger care on long-haul flights.
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