Virginia Family Seeks $200,000 From Delta, KLM Over Alleged Bed Bug Attack on Flight

January 1, 2026 at 06:20 PM•3 min read

Delta Air Lines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines face a $200,000 lawsuit from a Virginia family claiming a bed bug infestation on a March flight from Atlanta to Amsterdam.

Key Points

1A Virginia family filed a $200,000 lawsuit against Delta Air Lines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines on December 18.
2The suit alleges a severe bed bug infestation occurred on a March 21 KLM-operated flight from Atlanta to Amsterdam.
3The family claims flight attendants urged them to remain silent about the infestation to prevent passenger panic and missed connections.
4The incident highlights the operational and reputational risks associated with maintaining high aviation hygiene standards and airline pest control.

A Virginia family is suing Delta Air Lines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines for US$200,000. The lawsuit alleges a bed bug infestation on flight during a transatlantic journey in March. The Albuquerque family claims they were bitten while flying from Atlanta to Amsterdam. This incident allegedly ruined their planned vacation to Belgrade, Serbia.

Key Details of the Complaint

The complaint was filed on December 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia. The family of four was traveling from Roanoke via Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL). They boarded a flight operated by KLM to Amsterdam (AMS) on March 21. Although KLM operated the flight, the tickets were purchased through Delta’s SkyMiles program.

While seated in business class bed bugs, Lisandra Garcia first noticed the issue. She reported feeling bites and seeing insects crawling on her sweater. The lawsuit claims the family alerted flight attendants to the bed bug infestation on flight. Flight crew allegedly urged the family to keep their voices down. This was reportedly to avoid a "panic" among other passengers.

Prior to landing, the family claims they were told not to report the issue. Crew members allegedly warned that doing so would cause them to miss their connecting flight. Upon arrival, the family was left with welts, lesions, and rashes. Mrs. Garcia reportedly still has scars on her lower back from the bites. The family was forced to dispose of clothing and personal items due to the contamination.

Airline and Industry Response

The Albuquerque family is seeking $200,000 for injuries, medical expenses, and other damages. This Delta KLM bed bug lawsuit highlights the challenges of airline pest control.

A spokesperson for Delta Air Lines issued a statement. Delta noted that the allegations relate to flights they did not operate. They confirmed they would review the complaint and respond legally. KLM has not yet provided a public comment on the specific allegations.

Aviation Hygiene Standards

Bed bug incidents, while rare, pose a significant risk to airlines. Infestations can lead to negative public relations and aircraft grounding. Grounding an aircraft for deep cleaning results in substantial financial costs. Industry best practices for airline pest control often involve proactive measures. These methods include canine detection and specialized heat or chemical treatments.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and IATA provide guidance on aircraft disinsection procedures. This is primarily aimed at controlling disease vectors like mosquitoes. However, airlines must maintain high aviation hygiene standards for all pests. Bed bugs are known to infest all cabin classes, not just economy. Early detection is critical to prevent widespread contamination and operational disruption. For more commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.