Qatar Airways has released a statement defending its crew’s actions regarding the placement of a deceased woman next to a couple during a 14-hour flight. The airline asserted that its staff “acted quickly, appropriately, and professionally” after the woman passed away mid-flight, positioning her body beside an Australian couple.
In a statement to the BBC, Qatar Airways emphasized that the crew’s response to the incident was “in line with the training and industry standard practice.” The airline noted that other passengers were relocated to different seats, and a crew member remained with the deceased for the remainder of the flight until landing in Doha.
The airline acknowledged that “unexpected deaths” can occur on flights and stated that “our crew are highly trained to handle these situations with the utmost respect and dignity.” Additionally, Qatar Airways has offered compensation and support to passengers who were “directly affected” by the incident, as well as to the family of the deceased woman.
This statement follows comments from the couple, Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin, who described their experience to Australia’s Channel Nine, stating they were left ‘traumatized’ by the event. They recounted how the cabin crew placed the body, covered in blankets, next to them for the last four hours of the flight.
Colin expressed understanding that the airline could not be held responsible for the woman’s death, but emphasized the need for a protocol to support passengers in such situations. Ring added that the crew had asked him to move over, placing the body in the seat he had just vacated, while another passenger offered his wife a seat beside them, but no arrangements were made for him.