Qatar Airways defends crew’s handling of deceased passenger

Qatar Airways has stated that an internal review found its crew “acted quickly, appropriately, and professionally” when dealing with the death of a passenger aboard a Melbourne-to-Doha flight. The airline issued the statement on Friday following claims by an Australian couple that they were left traumatized after the deceased woman was placed next to them for the final hours of the flight.

The incident, which occurred on a 14-hour journey, has sparked debate over standard airline procedures for handling deaths mid-flight. The couple, Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin, were en route to Venice when a woman seated near them collapsed and died. According to their account, the cabin crew attempted but failed to move the body to the business class section due to the woman’s size and the narrowness of the aisle. Instead, they covered her with blankets and placed her in the seat next to Mr. Ring for the remaining four hours of the flight.

While Ms. Colin was offered an alternative seat by a fellow passenger, Mr. Ring said that airline staff did not offer to move him, despite vacant seats being available. Qatar Airways defended its crew’s actions, stating that their response was “in line with training and industry standard practice.” The airline emphasized that a crew member remained seated with the deceased passenger for the duration of the flight to ensure proper care and dignity.

Qatar Airways also expressed its condolences to the family of the deceased and acknowledged the distress experienced by other passengers. The airline confirmed that it had offered support and compensation to those directly affected by the incident.

Despite the airline’s assurances, Ms. Colin questioned whether sufficient protocols were in place to care for passengers in such situations. She emphasized that while the airline was not responsible for the woman’s passing, better procedures should exist to minimize distress for other travelers.

Upon landing in Doha, passengers were instructed to remain seated as medical personnel and police boarded the aircraft. Mr. Ring recounted that he was present when ambulance officers removed the blankets covering the deceased, allowing him to see her face, an experience he found deeply unsettling. He expressed surprise that passengers were not allowed to disembark before authorities attended to the body.

Aviation experts have weighed in on the incident, highlighting that standard procedures for handling in-flight deaths typically aim to isolate the body for privacy, dignity, and medical reasons. Former Virgin Atlantic captain Barry Eustance explained that crews generally move the deceased to a seat with fewer passengers nearby and cover the body appropriately.

According to guidelines from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), airlines should place the deceased in a seat away from other passengers or in an area that does not obstruct aisles or exits. The protocol also recommends allowing all other passengers to leave the plane before local authorities handle the body upon landing.

The incident has raised broader discussions about the adequacy of airline policies in handling in-flight medical emergencies and deaths, with some calling for clearer and more compassionate protocols to support both the deceased and fellow passengers.