A JetBlue passenger’s sweet treat turned sour when a frozen ice cream sandwich allegedly fractured her tooth, leading to a lawsuit against the airline.
At a Glance
- Kiara Quinonez is suing JetBlue over a “frozen solid” ice cream sandwich that allegedly fractured her tooth during a flight.
- The incident occurred on August 20 on a flight from New York to Paris.
- Quinonez claims the crew failed to warn her about the dessert’s dangerous temperature.
- The lawsuit accuses JetBlue of negligence and serving food at an unsafe temperature.
- Quinonez seeks damages for pain, suffering, and mental anguish in a jury trial.
Ice Cream Sandwich Causes In-Flight Dental Emergency
What was supposed to be a routine international flight for New Jersey resident Kiara Quinonez turned into a dental nightmare. On August 20, during a JetBlue flight from New York’s JFK Airport to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, Quinonez was served a strawberry shortcake-flavored ice cream sandwich. Unbeknownst to her, the dessert was allegedly “frozen solid,” leading to a fractured upper left incisor when she attempted to eat it.
The incident has now escalated into a lawsuit filed against JetBlue in New York’s Eastern District Court on October 22. Quinonez’s legal team is asserting that the airline failed in its duty to ensure passenger safety by serving food at an unsafe temperature and neglecting to warn about potential hazards.
Woman Sues JetBlue After Allegedly Fracturing Tooth on 'Frozen Solid' Ice Cream Sandwich During Flight https://t.co/nLwEmIck71
— People (@people) October 27, 2024
Passenger Seeks Compensation for Dental Ordeal
The consequences of this frozen treat were far from sweet for Quinonez. Upon landing in Paris, she required emergency dental treatment, which was just the beginning of her ordeal. The injury necessitated a tooth extraction, implant, and additional care both in France and after her return to the United States.
Christopher Fraser of The Dweck Law Firm, representing Quinonez, is demanding a jury trial to determine the extent of damages. The lawsuit seeks compensation for “pain, suffering, and mental anguish.
JetBlue’s History of Temperature-Related Incidents
This isn’t the first time JetBlue has faced legal action over temperature-related food incidents. In June, the airline was sued over “dangerously hot” tea that spilled on a passenger during turbulence. That case, involving passenger Tahjana Lewis, sought damages exceeding $1.5 million for injuries including disfigurement and scarring.
As of now, neither JetBlue nor Quinonez’s lawyer, Christopher Fraser, have commented on the lawsuit. The ice cream sandwich in question was made by Nightingale Ice Cream company, which is generally well-reviewed for its products, raising questions about the storage and serving practices on board the flight.
As this case progresses, it may prompt airlines to reassess their food service protocols, potentially leading to stricter quality checks and clearer communication about potential food hazards to prevent similar incidents in the future. For now, passengers might think twice before indulging in frozen treats at 30,000 feet.
Sources:
NJ flyer sues Jet Blue over ‘dangerously cold’ ice cream sandwich that broke her front tooth
JetBlue sued over ‘dangerously cold’ ice cream sandwich that broke passenger’s tooth
Woman sues JetBlue after suffering injury from ‘dangerously cold’ ice cream sandwich
