15 NOV: An American couple is seeking $100,000 in compensation from domestic carrier Air Tran Airways after seeing cockroaches coming out of air vents and overhead luggage bins during a flight from Charlotte to Houston.
Harry March and fiancee Kaitlin Rush allege in a lawsuit that when they drew a flight attendant’s attention to the situation, she responded by raising a finger to her lips as if to silence them.
The couple told a TV station that the insects scurried out of air vents and carry-on compartments, hanging around for long enough for pictures to be taken to include in the lawsuit.
Claiming they weren’t alone in their distress, the Charlotte couple said other passengers noticed the stowaways and commented on them.
They’re suing for mental and emotional distress, saying they had to throw away some of their belongings after the flight.
Air Tran said it doesn’t comment on pending litigation, but denies some of the allegations.
It said its planes are treated regularly and professionally for bugs and cleanliness is important to the airline.
