Doha, Qatar : Qatar Airways has defended its crew's handling of an onboard medical emergency after a couple reported being forced to sit next to a deceased passenger for several hours during a long-haul flight from Melbourne to Doha. The airline assured that its team acted "professionally and in accordance with industry protocols" while managing the unfortunate situation.
The controversy surfaced when Australian passengers Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin recounted their distressing experience during an interview with Channel Nine. The couple said that a fellow passenger passed away mid-flight, and despite the tragic circumstances, they were not relocated, forcing them to remain seated next to the deceased for the last four hours of the journey.
Airline Defends Crew’s Actions
In response to the criticism, Qatar Airways issued a statement to the BBC, asserting that their crew "acted quickly, appropriately, and professionally" in handling the incident. The airline further explained that an internal review confirmed that the response followed standard aviation safety and health guidelines.
"It is an unfortunate reality that unexpected deaths can occur aboard aircraft across the aviation industry. Our crew members are highly trained to handle such situations with the utmost respect and dignity," the airline said.
According to the airline, passengers were accommodated in alternative seats where possible, and a flight attendant remained with the deceased passenger at all times until the plane landed in Doha.
Passengers Describe the Ordeal
Despite the airline’s justification, the affected couple expressed deep distress over the incident. Mr. Ring recalled that the crew asked him to shift seats to accommodate the ailing woman, who later passed away. His wife, Ms. Colin, was offered a seat across the aisle by another passenger, but no formal arrangements were made by the airline to relocate them.
“We understand that this was beyond anyone’s control, but surely there should be a proper protocol in place to care for passengers onboard in such circumstances,” Ms. Colin stated.
After landing, the couple said all passengers were instructed to remain seated while medical personnel and law enforcement boarded the aircraft. Mr. Ring described seeing ambulance officers remove blankets from the deceased woman, a moment he found unsettling.
“I can’t believe they told us to stay seated while medical staff dealt with the situation. Surely, we should have been allowed to disembark first,” he said, emphasizing his frustration with how the situation was managed.
Call for Passenger Support
The couple also criticized the airline for not providing any post-flight assistance or counseling. “They have a duty of care towards passengers and staff. We should have been contacted and offered support after witnessing such an incident,” Mr. Ring added.
In a previous statement, Qatar Airways expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and apologized for any distress caused to other passengers. “First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family of the passenger who sadly passed away on board our flight,” the airline stated.
The incident has sparked discussions about airline protocols in handling onboard fatalities and passenger welfare during medical emergencies.
