A couple traveling on a Qatar Airways flight recently shared a harrowing experience when they were forced to sit beside a deceased passenger for four hours. Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin were on a long journey from Melbourne to Doha, heading to Italy, when a woman collapsed near their seats after using the restroom.
The incident occurred about ten hours into the flight. Mr. Ring recounted how they witnessed the unfortunate situation unfold. Despite the crew’s efforts, they were unable to revive the woman. "It was pretty heartbreaking to watch," he said during an interview with Australia’s A Current Affair.
The couple was seated in a row of four, but they were the only two passengers in that section. After the woman collapsed, crew members attempted to move her to business class but faced difficulties due to her size and the narrow aisle. Ultimately, they placed her in a spare seat close to where Mr. Ring and Ms. Colin were sitting.
Mr. Ring described how the flight attendants asked them to move over, and he complied without hesitation. However, he noted that despite the presence of other empty seats nearby, the crew did not offer to relocate them to a different area. Instead, they remained next to the deceased woman for the remainder of the flight.
Upon landing, Mr. Ring reported being instructed to stay seated while medical teams covered the body with blankets. He expressed disappointment over the lack of support offered to him and his partner during this distressing time.
In response to the incident, Qatar Airways issued a statement expressing condolences to the family of the deceased passenger. They apologized for the distress caused and mentioned that they were reaching out to passengers affected by the situation.
This incident raises questions about how airlines handle emergencies and the support provided to passengers during traumatic events. It highlights the need for better protocols to ensure the comfort and well-being of travelers in such unfortunate circumstances.