Southwest Airlines Sued Over Spilled Coffee on 4-Year-Old Boy: 'It's So Hot!'

Southwest Airlines was sued on Wednesday by Utah parents who said their 4-year-old son suffered second-degree burns to his buttocks when a careless flight attendant spilled boiling hot coffee on him.

Ryan Wong and Kamrie Wong also accused other flight attendants of being unapologetic for the September 19, 2024, incident and failing to get proper medical help.

Their son, known as K.W. in court papers, is now afraid to fly, they added.

Southwest did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Wongs said they were flying home to Salt Lake City from Orlando, Florida, when a flight attendant carrying a drink tray on one arm extended hot coffee over their son and spilled it.

According to the complaint, the boy shrieked in pain from his burn injuries, screaming "It's so hot!"

The Wongs said paramedics met them at a layover in Chicago, but that a Southwest gate agent caused more pain by forcibly seating their son on his buttocks. They also said flight attendants on their return to Salt Lake City offered no help.