Judo Coach Sues JetBlue After In-Flight Coffee Spill Results in Permanent Vision Loss
A well-known judo coach and third-degree black belt, Arturas Lanchinskas, has filed a lawsuit against JetBlue Airways after a hot coffee spill on board left him with permanent vision loss. The incident occurred in July 2023 on JetBlue Flight 1825 from New York City to Lima, Peru, where Lanchinskas was travelling as head coach of Team Judo USA for the Pan American Championships. The 30-year-old alleges that the airline’s negligence resulted in long-term injury that may impact his coaching career.
Lanchinskas is a highly respected figure in the United States judo community, with his own martial arts facility ranked second in the country by USA Judo. As the head coach of Team Judo USA, he was scheduled to lead the national team at the Pan American Judo Championships in Lima, which was seen as a crucial step in preparing athletes for upcoming international competitions.
The incident took place while the flight was mid-air, when a flight attendant spilled scalding coffee on Lanchinskas’s face. The hot liquid struck his right eye, causing immediate and intense pain. A fellow passenger, who identified as a medical professional, provided first aid by helping Lanchinskas flush his eye with water multiple times during the flight.
Despite the severity of the emergency, Lanchinskas claims that some crew members became irritated by his repeated visits to the lavatory to rinse the injury. He continued to experience severe discomfort for the remainder of the flight and sought further medical treatment upon landing in Peru.
Upon his return to New York, Lanchinskas was diagnosed with a thermal chemical burn to his right eye. According to doctors, he now has a reduced field of vision and chronic sensitivity to light, with the damage likely to be permanent. As a result, Lanchinskas has been unable to coach at full capacity and struggles with daily exposure to bright environments.
In July 2025, Lanchinskas filed a lawsuit in the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York under the Montreal Convention, which governs airline liability for injuries occurring during international flights. The complaint alleges that JetBlue failed to ensure passenger safety during beverage service. Lanchinskas is seeking a jury trial and compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, emotional distress, and permanent injury. He is represented by attorney Erin R. Applebaum, who specializes in aviation-related personal injury claims.
This incident has brought attention to in-flight beverage safety and handling protocols. While hot liquid burns are not uncommon in aviation, few incidents have resulted in such severe and lasting consequences. Industry experts note that airlines are obligated to train staff to minimize risks when serving hot drinks at cruising altitude.
JetBlue has not publicly commented on the incident or the ongoing legal proceedings.