Delta Air Lines Passenger Allegedly Left With Severe Burns After Inflight Coffee Spill

Published Sep 5, 2026, 4:18 PM EDT Journalist – Aaron is an aviation and travel journalist with 14 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. His background spans airport operations, aviation infrastructure, and travel consulting, having worked with global organizations across New Zealand, Europe, and North America. Combining industry expertise with firsthand travel experience across more than 52 countries and five continents, Aaron covers airlines, airports, aviation policy, and the wider travel sector. He is based in Canterbury, New Zealand. His work has been published in Simple Flying and featured by MSN, SAM CHUI Aviation & Travel, EIN News, Pakistan Defence, and Climate Depot. A traveler on a Delta Air Lines flight between Puerto Rico and New York has been left with severe burns after a flight attendant accidentally spilled hot coffee on him during service. Frank Morello was flying from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) last October, when the hot brew spilled on him, resulting in severe burns to his right leg. Morello is now suing the airline for an unspecified amount of damages. According to the New York Post, Morello claims he did not receive any first aid during the flight and only sought assistance after landing at JFK. According to the report, Morello's skin immediately began to blister after the event, and he was left with permanent scars. The Delta Air Lines Coffee Spill Incident Credit: The Global Guy | Shutterstock In Queens Supreme Court, Morello recounted that during the flight from San Juan to New York, he suggested the coffee was overheated and dangerous. The flight attendant accidentally spilled the coffee, which then trickled down onto his right leg. The Suffolk County man is one of the latest in a series of onboard-related injuries that have sparked legal battles in recent years. Morello's lawyer, Michael G. LoRusso, explained that the coffee was likely very hot and that flight attendants need to be very careful when serving it. “It was an accident, yes, I understand that. But he got hurt.” Inflight Accident Spills Credit: The Global Guy | Shutterstock While Morello's unfortunate injuries were an accident, the case shows that flight attendants must be very careful when serving coffee onboard. At altitude, liquid boils at a lower temperature when in a pressurized cabin, meaning that coffee can still burn even if it doesn't feel hot to the touch. Turbulence doesn't help, creating a high-risk environment for accidental spills. Aircraft cabins are pressurized between 6,000 and 8,000 feet, which means water can boil at around 200 degrees Fahrenheit (92 degrees Celsius) instead of the usual 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius). This means the water is served close to the boiling point. If a spill occurs and it ends up on someone, it can cause third-degree burns within seconds; and, because of dry cabin air, sensory perception can change, meaning passengers may not realize how hot the liquid is until they have already been scalded. Delta maintains year-round flights from San Juan to New York, which complements five other nonstop flights from the US territory, as detailed below: Delta's Year-Round Service From San Juan Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Delta's Seasonal Service From San Juan Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) Taking Care Onboard Credit: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock While it remains unclear in Morello's case what caused the flight attendant to spill the drink, several operational risks can lead to accidents like this. The most common is unexpected turbulence; this clean-air turbulence could occur at any time, without any warning for crew or passengers. These unexpected movements can strike quickly and jolt the aircraft, causing food and drink to tip over. Aircraft cabins are renowned for being cramped spaces; passengers are usually close to one another, and spills on table trays can easily leak to a neighboring passenger and come into contact with skin. Additionally, flight attendants must navigate narrow aisles with heavy carts, which can also increase the risk of an accidental spill during service. For Morello, he is now left with permanent scars following the accidental incident onboard his flight to New York, and looks to claim against the airline for the pain he experienced and scars to his right leg. Morello is suing Delta for negligence in serving the hot drink at an unsafe, scalding temperature, and for failing to exercise proper care during onboard cabin service. Simple Flying reached out to Delta for comment; however, an airline spokesperson could not immediately be reached.