A New York couple flying transcontinental on JetBlue are suing the airline and the TSA over the disappearance of jewelry valued at $95,000.
They have been named as co-defendants in a lawsuit filed by Natalie and Michael Hekmat.
The couple flew from New York JFK in February and gave a hard shell suitcase containing the jewlry to a JetBlue agent at the curbside check-in area.
After landing in Los Angeles and immediately checking the bag, all eight rings were missing.
It included a Cartier diamond engagement ring which alone was valued at $80,000, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit included the Transport Security Administation in the complaint because ‘Defendant TSA knew that some employees might take property that did not belong to them, or should have known of such propensity had Defendant TSA conducted an adequate hiring procedure.’
JetBlue corporate communications manager Philip Stewart would not comment on the specific case but highlighted long established airline policy and limits on liability.
"Customers are advised that certain items are not covered under policies customers agree to when they purchase a ticket. These items include jewelry, electronic equipment, medicines, or valuables and compensation for the loss of such items is expressly excluded," he said.
