Qatar Airways Under Fire For Controversial Response To Onboard Death

Passengers seated in airplane cabin with screens visible

An Australian couple faced the unimaginable horror of sitting next to a deceased passenger for hours on a Qatar Airways flight, but the airline maintains their crew handled the situation appropriately.

Key Insights

Qatar Airways conducted an internal review and concluded their crew acted appropriately when handling a passenger’s death on a flight from Melbourne to Doha.
An Australian couple, Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin, were seated next to the deceased passenger for approximately four hours during the 15-hour flight.
The airline claims they followed industry standards, with a crew member sitting with the deceased until landing, though the couple disputes the level of support provided.
Qatar Airways has offered condolences and compensation to affected passengers but maintains their staff followed proper protocols for handling in-flight deaths.

Fatal Medical Emergency at 35,000 Feet

A routine flight from Melbourne to Doha turned into a distressing ordeal when a female passenger suffered a fatal medical emergency several hours into the journey. Despite attempts to save her, the woman passed away, creating an unprecedented situation for nearby passengers Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin. The Australian couple was forced to remain seated next to the deceased passenger for approximately four hours as the Qatar Airways flight continued to its destination, raising serious questions about airline protocols for handling in-flight deaths.

Qatar Airways has firmly defended their handling of the incident, stating their cabin crew responded according to training. Unlike some situations where empty rows might be available to move a deceased passenger, the airline maintains that flight conditions necessitated keeping the deceased in her assigned seat. The couple’s account, however, suggests they received little emotional support during the traumatic experience and were even instructed to remain in place while medical staff addressed the situation after landing.

Airline Defends Actions Following Review

Following public backlash and media attention, Qatar Airways conducted an internal review of the incident. Their findings supported the crew’s actions, with the airline issuing a statement defending their procedures. “After an internal review, it is clear that Qatar Airways cabin crew acted quickly, appropriately and professionally at all times in line with training and industry standard practice,” the airline stated. They further explained that a crew member remained with the deceased and affected passengers until the aircraft landed in Doha.

“It is an unfortunate reality that unexpected deaths do sometimes occur on board aircraft across the aviation industry, and our crew are highly trained to deal with these situations with as much respect and dignity as possible,” said Qatar Airways in a statement.

The airline also claimed that other passengers were accommodated in different seats when possible, though Ring and Colin’s account contradicts this assertion. According to reports, the couple was not permitted to change seats despite the extraordinary circumstances and reported feeling abandoned during the remainder of the flight. This stark contrast between the airline’s official position and the passengers’ experience highlights potential gaps in handling such sensitive situations at 35,000 feet.

Passengers’ Distress and Aftermath

The emotional toll on Ring and Colin has been considerable. Beyond the immediate trauma of sitting beside a deceased person for hours, the couple has expressed deep dissatisfaction with Qatar Airways’ support following the incident. They maintain that proper care would have included follow-up contact and offers of counseling services. Mitchell Ring publicly criticized the airline’s handling of their welfare after the flight.

“They have a duty of care towards their customers as well as their staff. We should be contacted to make sure, do you need some support, do you need some counseling?” said Mitchell Ring.

Qatar Airways has since reported being in contact with the deceased passenger’s family and affected travelers, offering both emotional support and compensation. However, this response came after significant media coverage of the incident drew international attention. The case raises important questions about airline protocols for in-flight deaths, passenger rights during extraordinary circumstances, and the balance between operational necessities and human compassion when facing the unthinkable at cruising altitude.