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
That’s awful. Hope the passenger makes a full recovery, medically and financially.
Matt, speaking of court cases against airlines, there is a fairly big update today in the case against them and Airbus: Paris Appeals Court found both guilty of manslaughter over AF447 in 2009. I’m sure victim’s families wanted even more, but this is step in the right direction for them. (If only we properly held Boeing accountable for the Max crashes…)
10 years ago I would have been amazed that someone would be too stupid to walk down some stairs but then 2020 and 2024 came around and I realized that there were tens of millions of people who voted for someone with dementia and woman who’s only contribution to society was providing sexual favors In favor of political appointments.
Yeah, Trump does seem to have dementia… good one.
Except, Trump usually receives, not provides, favors (including the sexual kind). After all, Trump was found liable for sexual abuse in Carroll v. Trump (2024), is mentioned 38,000+ times in the unredacted Epstein files as verified by the NYTimes, and, of course, all the video, audio, and photo evidence of his behavioral patterns over literal decades… (his divorces, the way he treats Ivanka, Access Hollywood, pageants…)
“Someone with dementia and woman who’s only contribution to society was providing sexual favors In favor of political appointments”
I simply will not stand for you speaking of Donald and Melania this way.
Besides, she did it for citizenship and money, not political appointments.
Nah, I’m good with victim blaming. She could have easily stepped aside and let others walk by until she was the last person left. Then waited for her daughter to drop the bag at the bottom and come up and help her.
Another American looking to hit the lottery because of their own bad decisions. But I’m sure some scummy lawyer like Morgan & Morgan will get involved and force a settlement.
“Nah, I’m good with victim blaming.”
Classic MAGA.
Such a one trick pony, seems like you live on here 24/7. I really shouldn’t engage you because you are a classic internet troll.
The answer to speech you don’t like is often more speech…
Or, you can just ignore when I call you out. Up to you.
By the way, what movies would you recommend?
I get that not all airports can serve all aircraft with jetbridges, but this is why many are switching to ramps instead of airstairs for boarding when a bridge is not available. Or, as the photo indicates, having covered airstairs.
There’s an argument to be made that there is some personal responsibility to lay on the passenger: that she should have requested assistance and wait to deplane until the end with other passengers of reduced mobility. However, it’s easy to forget that many (most) travelers are not that experienced and familiar with processes. The bottom line is that the airline put passengers in a position to deplane on a slippery set of stairs, which is an easily predictable potential risk for elderly, disabled or other passengers with reduced mobility. This should be a manageable situation through proactive offers of assistance and guidance to wait until the end for de-planing for those passengers needing assistance. If the facts are that this lady was hospitalized for two weeks, it sounds like a strong legal case for damages.
I’m very sympathetic to the woman. I think most passengers, non-residents at least, fly to Frankfurt having no idea that air stairs are a thing…it’s just not something you expect, thankfully, at most airports in North America or Asia, though I know they are bit more common in Europe.
JET BRIDGES/JETWAYS are kings/queens!
No matter your age proper footwear is important. I’ve been buying a type of Merrell flat shoe designed for slippery surfaces ( ice snow primarily ) Originally made for hikers they can pass for a dress shoe.
If you are uncomfortable just ask for help. I feel for the elderly woman , nobody wants that.
For travel and other daily activities, Merrell shoes are globally recognized for providing out-of-the-box comfort, exceptional durability, and specialized multi-sport traction without requiring a breaking-in period.
The particular material in the sole of the anti-slip loafers is amazing. Perfect for ski resorts , black ice or winter walking in Manhattan!
Agreed.
Pennsylvania, huh. I notice that nobody ever says “New Yorker failed to speak up ….”
Walter right on
Nah, Walter’s a bigot.
Aw dee. Have you and Walter already signed on for your share of the grifter slush fund? You must be so proud.
No rush! “Haste makes waste!”
A speedy recovery to that unfortunate elderly lady!
Stairs are common in Europe. I‘ve never den them being slippery, even when it rains.
I sometimes like the bus ride, because it cam be a kind of airport sightseeing.