Qatar Airways announced on Friday that an internal investigation had been conducted following a mysterious mid-flight incident involving a deceased passenger. The airline stated that its cabin crew had responded promptly, appropriately, and professionally to the situation. The incident occurred when a passenger collapsed and died approximately 10 hours into a 14-hour flight from Melbourne to Doha, causing her body to be placed next to an Australian couple for the remainder of the journey.
The Australian couple, identified as Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin, reported to local media that they were compelled to sit beside the deceased passenger for the duration of the flight. Despite their discomfort, the flight crew allegedly refused to allow the couple to change seats. Qatar Airways acknowledged the incident, emphasizing that unexpected deaths onboard flights are unfortunate realities that can happen in the aviation industry. The airline assured that its crew members are well-trained to handle such situations with respect and dignity.
Following an internal review, Qatar Airways confirmed that its cabin crew had adhered to proper protocols and industry standards throughout the incident. Passengers were eventually relocated to other seats, and a crew member remained by the deceased passenger’s side until the flight landed in Doha. The airline expressed its sympathy for all individuals affected by the incident and disclosed that emotional support and compensation had been offered to the deceased passenger’s family and other affected passengers.
The Australian couple criticized the airline for what they perceived as a lack of support and empathy during the distressing event. Ring emphasized the importance of airlines fulfilling their duty of care towards both customers and staff, advocating for proactive measures such as offering counseling and support to those impacted by such incidents. Qatar Airways assured that it had engaged with the affected passengers to address their concerns and expressed condolences to the family of the deceased passenger.
