An elderly passenger is suing Lufthansa after she says a flight attendant rushed her down wet airstairs in Frankfurt, causing her to fall, suffer serious injuries, and spend weeks hospitalized in Germany and Ireland.

Elderly Passenger Says Flight Attendant Rushed Her Down Wet Frankfurt Airstairs, Causing Serious Fall

A Pennsylvania woman has filed a lawsuit against Lufthansa after a painful fall down wet airstairs at Frankfurt Airport left her hospitalized for weeks.

The passenger, Patricia Gunsser, was traveling from Philadelphia (PHL) to Frankfurt (FRA) on November 29, 2025. Her flight was booked with Lufthansa but operated by Discover Airlines, Lufthansa’s leisure subsidiary. The transatlantic flight itself was uneventful, but the trouble began after arrival in Frankfurt.

As anyone who flies through Frankfurt knows, remote stands are not uncommon. Instead of pulling up to a jet bridge, aircraft often park on the apron and passengers deplane via mobile airstairs before boarding buses to the terminal.

I have deplaned that way in Frankfurt many times. It is not my favorite thing in the world, especially in bad weather. Those stairs can be slippery, awkward, exposed to the elements, and genuinely dangerous for passengers who are elderly, unsteady, carrying bags, or simply not comfortable descending wet metal steps.

According to the lawsuit, that is essentially what happened here.

What The Lawsuit Claims Happened

Gunsser’s complaint alleges the following:

Her Lufthansa-booked flight from Philadelphia to Frankfurt was operated by Discover Airlines
Upon arrival in Frankfurt, the aircraft parked at a remote stand
Passengers were required to deplane using mobile airstairs and then board buses to the terminal
The weather was cold and wet, and the airstairs were allegedly soaking wet from rain
The airstairs reportedly did not have a protective hood or cover
Gunsser stopped at the top of the stairs to discuss with her daughter how she could safely descend
Her daughter took her carry-on bag and told her to wait, briefly slowing the flow of passengers down the stairs
The lawsuit claims a flight attendant saw this interaction and rushed Gunsser off the aircraft because other passengers were waiting
Gunsser then attempted to descend the stairs, slipped after only a few steps, and fell down much of the remaining staircase
She allegedly suffered serious injuries, including a broken collarbone, broken sternum, cardiac contusion, and other wounds
She spent about two weeks hospitalized in Frankfurt

As if that was not bad enough, when it was time to come home Lufthansa did not allow her to fly (medical clearance) and when she did fly, her condition worked onboard due to the “physical and mental stress she endured as a result of the accident,” forcing a diversion to Shannon, Ireland (SNN). She was once again hospitalized.

Those are allegations at this stage, and Lufthansa will have its own opportunity to respond. I am not going to pretend to know whether the lawsuit is ultimately valid or how a court should apportion liability. But I do think the underlying situation is very easy to understand.

First, wet airstairs can be hazardous. Second, elderly passengers may need extra time and should not be rushed. Third, if a passenger is uncomfortable descending stairs, rushing that person is exactly the wrong response.

If You Are Not Comfortable Moving, Do Not Move

There is a lesson here, and I say this without victim-blaming.

If a flight attendant, gate agent, or anyone else tells you to keep moving, but you do not feel safe moving, do not move. Say clearly that you need assistance. Say you are not comfortable descending the stairs or that you need a wheelchair or help getting down (very complicated in FRA, but doable). Say you will wait until everyone else has deplaned if necessary.

People may be impatient behind you and that may feel awkward or embarrassing.

So what?

Falling down wet airstairs is far worse than making a few passengers wait another minute.

In some cases, the best strategy may be to remain seated onboard and let everyone else deplane first. If you know you are going to need extra time, that may be safer and less stressful than getting caught in the middle of a rushing crowd at the top of wet stairs.

Crews should encourage it and passengers should not feel pressured to move faster than they can safely move…

CONCLUSION

A Pennsylvania woman is suing Lufthansa after she says a Discover Airlines flight attendant rushed her down wet airstairs in Frankfurt, causing her to fall and suffer serious injuries.

I will leave the legal merits to the court. But the practical point is obvious: wet airstairs are not trivial, especially for elderly passengers. I have used those stairs at Frankfurt many times, and they can be slippery and unpleasant even for someone fully mobile. Bottom line: no one should be rushed into falling down wet aircraft stairs.

hat tip: Paddle Your Own Kanoo