What happened to the deceased passenger during the flight?

The deceased passenger collapsed in the aisle and, despite attempts by the cabin crew to revive her, was pronounced dead mid-flight. Her body was then placed in a seat next to a couple for the remainder of the flight.

How did Qatar Airways respond to the incident?

Qatar Airways defended its crew's actions, stating they followed industry protocols and handled the situation with dignity. The airline also offered support and compensation to affected passengers.

What are the standard protocols for handling deceased passengers on flights?

According to IATA guidelines, a deceased passenger should be moved to a seat if available, preferably one with fewer nearby passengers. The body should be covered and secured with seatbelts.

How did the couple feel about the airline's handling of the situation?

The couple felt traumatized and unsupported, criticizing Qatar Airways for not offering them alternative seating or adequate emotional support during the ordeal.

3 sources·World

Qatar Airways Responds to Controversy Over Cabin Crew Handling of a Deceased Passenger

Qatar Airways defends its crew’s actions after a couple shared a row with a deceased passenger for four hours during a flight.

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Qatar Airways is defending the decision to leave a husband a wife sitting next to a dead passenger on a 15-hour flight, insisting Friday that its crew “acted quickly, appropriately and professionally.”
Qatar Airways defends crew that left couple next to body on 15-hour flight: ‘Appropriate and professional’
New York Post·20d
Mostly Reliable
This source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.
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Leans Right
This outlet slightly leans right.
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 says crew handled passenger's midflight death 'appropriately'
NBC News·20d
Reliable
This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
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Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Deaths on airplanes are not unheard of, though they are comparatively rare.
A couple spent hours near a passenger's body. Here's how cabin crew are trained to handle deaths in the air.
Business Insider·21d
Reliable
This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

Feb 28th, 2025, 12:36 PM ET

Summary

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

Qatar Airways faced backlash after passengers Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin reported sitting next to a deceased passenger for four hours on a flight from Melbourne to Doha. The airline stated its crew acted professionally and offered support to affected passengers, despite the couple feeling inadequately supported and lacking alternatives during the ordeal. The incident highlights the challenges of on-board medical emergencies and the protocols that airlines follow in such situations.

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Qatar Airways defended its decision to leave a couple sitting next to a deceased passenger, stating that crew acted professionally according to industry standards during a medical emergency.
The airline has reached out to affected passengers offering emotional support and compensation after the incident.
While unexpected deaths on flights are rare, protocols are in place for managing such situations and ensuring passenger safety.

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