Brown wooden tool on white surface
Brown wooden tool on white surface Unsplash

Arturas Lanchinskas, a well-known judo coach and third-degree black belt, 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.

Team Judo USA Coach Arturas Lanchinskas: Career and Background

Lanchinskas is a decorated martial artist and respected coach in the United States judo community. He owns Darfight Martial Arts in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, a facility ranked second in the country by USA Judo. As head coach of Team Judo USA, he was scheduled to lead the national team at the Pan American Judo Championships in Lima. The trip was seen as a vital step in preparing athletes for upcoming international competitions.

JetBlue Coffee Spill Causes In-Flight Emergency

While mid-flight, a JetBlue flight attendant reportedly spilled scalding coffee on Lanchinskas's face. According to the New York Post, the hot liquid directly struck his right eye, causing instant pain described by the coach as 'a burning needle'. A fellow passenger, who identified as a medical professional, provided first aid by helping Lanchinskas flush the affected eye with water multiple times during the flight.

Despite the emergency, Lanchinskas stated 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.

JetBlue Coffee Accident Leaves Coach with Permanent Vision Loss

Following the in-flight coffee spill, Peruvian doctors treated Lanchinskas's facial burns. Upon his return to New York, specialists diagnosed a thermal chemical burn to his right eye. According to a report by the Daily Mail, he now suffers from a reduced field of vision and chronic sensitivity to light, with doctors warning that the damage is likely permanent. Lanchinskas has since been unable to coach at full capacity and struggles with daily exposure to bright environments.

USA Coach Lawsuit Highlights JetBlue Liability Under Montreal Convention

On 8 July 2025, Lanchinskas filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York under case number 1:2025-cv-03779. The legal claim cites 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 Erin R. Applebaum, an attorney specialising in aviation-related personal injury claims.

JetBlue Hot Beverage Policy Questioned After Vision Loss Lawsuit

The case has drawn renewed 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 minimise risks when serving hot drinks at cruising altitude.

JetBlue has not publicly commented on the incident or the ongoing legal proceedings.

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