Qatar Airways Responds After Couple Forced to Sit Next to Dead Body During Flight
Qatar Airways has issued a statement defending its crew after an Australian couple claimed they were made to sit next to a deceased passenger for four hours during a recent flight. Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin, who were traveling from Melbourne to Doha, described the experience as deeply distressing, alleging they were offered no support or alternative seating despite open seats being available.
The incident occurred after a passenger suddenly collapsed and died mid-flight. According to Qatar Airways, crew members followed protocol by accommodating other passengers to different seats and ensuring a staff member remained with the deceased passenger for the duration of the flight.
In a statement to People on February 28, the airline said, “Passengers were accommodated to other seats, and a crew member was sitting at all times with the deceased passenger for the duration of the flight until landing in Doha.” The statement emphasized that the crew acted “in line with training and industry standard practice” and treated the situation “with as much respect and dignity as possible.”
The airline also noted that it had offered compensation and support to the family of the deceased passenger, as well as to those directly affected by the incident.
Couple’s Account Differs from Airline’s Statement
However, Ring and Colin’s account contrasts with the airline’s version of events. The couple claimed they were asked to “move over” to make space for the deceased woman’s body, which was then placed in Ring’s former seat and covered with a blanket. They alleged they were told to remain in their seats for the rest of the flight, despite being seated next to the corpse and noticing open seats nearby.
“There were a few spare seats I could see around us,” Ring told A Current Affair. “I can’t believe they told us to stay…it wasn’t nice.”
Ring also expressed frustration over the lack of follow-up support from the airline, stating, “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? I don’t really know how I feel and would like to speak to somebody to make sure I’m alright.”
Colin described the experience as “traumatizing,” adding to the emotional toll of the situation.
Airline’s Initial Response
Qatar Airways had previously released a statement expressing condolences to the family of the deceased passenger. A spokesperson told news.com.au, “First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family of the passenger who sadly passed away on board our flight. We apologize for any inconvenience or distress this incident may have caused and are in the process of contacting passengers in line with our policies and procedures.”
As the story continues to unfold, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about airline protocols and passenger care during in-flight emergencies.
