A JetBlue passenger who says she was scalded by hot tea is suing the airline for $1.5 million, according to court documents filed last Friday.
Tahjana Lewis was flying from Orlando to Hartford, Connecticut on May 15 when the plane encountered turbulence, the complaint says.
It alleges that the cabin crew was serving beverages despite the seatbelt sign being on.
A passenger next to Lewis ordered a tea which was then spilled over the plaintiff, resulting in “severe burns” to her chest, legs, and right arm, the suit says.
It adds that the burns have caused disfigurement and scarring, and accuses JetBlue of serving beverages “at a temperature that was unreasonably and dangerously hot.”
JetBlue did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
The lawsuit comes at a time when airline procedures during turbulence are coming under renewed focus, following the death of a Singapore Airlines passenger.
As a result of that incident, Singapore Airlines — one of just 10 carriers to be rated five stars by Skytrax — announced it would no longer serve meals when the seatbelt sign is on.
Korean Air followed suit in changing protocols, ending cabin service 20 minutes earlier than previously. It said the number of turbulence incidents had doubled between 2019 and 2024.
Guy Gratton, an associate professor of aviation and the environment at Cranfield University, told BI that turbulence is getting more frequent and more severe due to the climate crisis.
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