Qatar Airways Faces Scrutiny After In-Flight Tragedy

Passengers seated in airplane cabin with screens visible

Qatar Airways defends its crew’s actions after forcing an Australian couple to sit beside a deceased passenger for four hours during a 15-hour international flight, claiming staff handled the tragic situation “appropriately and professionally.”

Key Takeaways

Qatar Airways conducted an internal review and concluded their cabin crew acted appropriately when handling a passenger’s death during 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 of the 15-hour journey.
The airline stated a crew member remained with the deceased passenger until landing and offered other passengers alternative seating when possible.
The affected couple expressed dissatisfaction with the support they received, stating they weren’t allowed to change seats and received no follow-up counseling.
Qatar Airways maintains that their staff followed industry standards for handling in-flight deaths with “respect and dignity.”

Airline Defends Protocol Following In-Flight Death

Qatar Airways has responded to criticism after an Australian couple was forced to remain seated next to a deceased passenger for four hours during a flight from Melbourne to Doha. Following an internal review of the incident, the airline insisted their cabin crew “acted quickly, appropriately and professionally at all times in line with training and industry standard practice.” The female passenger reportedly suffered a fatal medical emergency during the 15-hour journey, creating a challenging situation for both crew and nearby passengers.

According to reports, Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin were positioned adjacent to the deceased woman’s body for a significant portion of the flight. The airline maintained that crew members did everything possible under the circumstances, including having a staff member sit with the deceased until landing in Doha. Qatar Airways also stated that other passengers were accommodated with alternative seating when possible, though the couple disputes this claim.

Passengers Dispute Airline’s Account of Treatment

The Australian couple has expressed significant dissatisfaction with how the situation was handled. Ring and Colin claim they were not permitted to change seats despite being stationed directly beside the deceased passenger for hours. Additionally, they reported being instructed to remain seated as medical personnel addressed the body after landing. The couple has been particularly critical of the lack of follow-up support from the airline after experiencing what was undoubtedly a traumatic event.

“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 Ring.

Qatar Airways acknowledged the unfortunate reality of in-flight deaths, stating they have reached out to both the deceased passenger’s family and affected passengers to offer emotional support and compensation. However, the extent of this support appears to be a point of contention, with the couple suggesting the airline’s response has been inadequate given the circumstances they endured.

Airline’s Response to The Incident

In their official statement, Qatar Airways emphasized that their crew followed established protocols for handling passenger deaths during flights. The airline noted that such unexpected situations occasionally occur across the aviation industry and that their staff undergoes specific training to manage these incidents with appropriate sensitivity. They maintained that all actions taken during the flight were consistent with industry standards.

“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,” Qatar Airways said in a statement.

The airline has expressed sympathy for everyone involved in the incident, including the family of the deceased and the passengers affected by the situation. While standing by their crew’s handling of the emergency, Qatar Airways indicated they have been in communication with the Australian couple to address their concerns. The incident highlights the complex challenges airlines face when dealing with medical emergencies and deaths during long-haul international flights.