Qatar Airways has defended the actions of its cabin crew following an incident in which a woman passed away mid-flight on a journey from Melbourne to Doha. The airline stated that an internal review confirmed its crew acted in line with training and industry standards when handling the unfortunate event. Despite the airline’s assurances, an Australian couple on the flight described their experience as traumatic, reigniting discussions about how airlines should manage in-flight deaths.
Australian passengers Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin were on their way to Venice when the tragic incident occurred. According to their account, the deceased woman was seated next to them when she suddenly passed away. Cabin crew members attempted to relocate the body to a different section of the aircraft, but logistical challenges partially due to the passenger’s size made this difficult. Ultimately, the woman’s body was placed in Mr. Ring’s former seat, and he was asked to move.
Ms. Colin was offered a different seat by a fellow passenger across the aisle, but Mr. Ring stated that he was not provided with the option to move elsewhere despite the availability of vacant seats. The couple described the experience as deeply distressing, particularly as they had to remain near the deceased passenger for the remainder of the flight.
In a statement issued on Friday, Qatar Airways acknowledged the difficulty of the situation but maintained that its crew adhered to established protocols for handling onboard deaths. The airline emphasized that its staff are highly trained to manage such occurrences with “respect and dignity.” It also clarified that other passengers were relocated where possible and that a crew member stayed with the deceased until the flight landed in Doha.
The airline further stated that support and compensation had been offered to the deceased woman’s family as well as passengers who were directly affected. Qatar Airways previously apologized for “any inconvenience or distress” caused by the incident.
The incident has sparked broader discussions about airline policies regarding deaths that occur mid-flight. Barry Eustance, a former Virgin Atlantic captain, noted that industry best practices generally involve isolating the deceased from other passengers to ensure both privacy and medical precautions.
Guidelines from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) recommend that airlines place deceased passengers in an area with minimal exposure to other travelers. If possible, the body should be moved to an unoccupied row or a section of the aircraft with fewer passengers. The deceased should be covered with a blanket or body bag up to the neck, and upon landing, authorities should handle the situation before allowing other passengers to disembark.
However, implementing these measures can be challenging on a full flight, particularly when space is limited. This raises questions about whether airlines should introduce additional policies, such as reserving specific spaces for emergency situations, to enhance passenger comfort while still respecting the dignity of the deceased.
In their televised interview with Australia’s Channel Nine, Ms. Colin emphasized that the airline was not at fault for the woman’s death but argued that passenger welfare should have been better prioritized. She questioned whether airlines have clear policies in place to ensure passengers in such situations are properly accommodated.
Mr. Ring, meanwhile, expressed shock that passengers were required to remain seated while medical personnel attended to the deceased after landing. “I can’t believe they told us to stay,” he said, suggesting that passengers should have been allowed to disembark before authorities attended to the situation.
This incident highlights the complexities of managing medical emergencies on flights and raises important questions about whether airlines should revise their protocols. As passenger safety and comfort remain top priorities in the aviation industry, Qatar Airways’ response to this case may prompt further discussions about improving procedures for handling similar situations in the future.
