Vegetarian Passenger Tragically Dies After Being Advised to Navigate Around Meat in Qatar Airways Meal
Engage with the headline: “Tragedy Strikes Mid-Air: Qatar Airways Faced with Legal Action After Vegetarian Passenger’s Death”
In a tragic mid-flight incident, an 85-year-old vegetarian passenger, Dr. Asoka Jayaweera, passed away after choking on a non-vegetarian meal served onboard a Qatar Airways flight. The incident highlights ongoing challenges for airlines in accommodating dietary restrictions, especially for elderly passengers.
Qatar Airways’ Response to Pre-Ordered Meals Under Scrutiny
The incident occurred during a Qatar Airways flight from Los Angeles to Colombo on June 30, 2023. Dr. Jayaweera, a retired cardiologist from Southern California, had specifically pre-ordered a vegetarian meal for the 15.5-hour journey. However, he was informed by a flight attendant that no vegetarian options were available and was advised to “eat around” the meat in the provided meal.
The Medical Emergency and Flight Diversion
While attempting to follow the flight attendant’s advice, Dr. Jayaweera began choking and lost consciousness. Despite assistance from the flight crew and consultation with remote medical advisors from MedAire, his condition deteriorated. The flight made an emergency landing in Edinburgh, Scotland, where Dr. Jayaweera was transported to a hospital. Unfortunately, he succumbed to aspiration pneumonia, a serious lung infection, on August 3, 2023.
Lawsuit Filed for Negligence and Wrongful Death
Surya Jayaweera, the son of the deceased, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Qatar Airways, citing negligence in meal service and inadequate medical response. The lawsuit demands $128,821 in damages, alleging that the airline failed to supply the pre-ordered vegetarian meal and did not respond effectively to the medical emergency.
The Montreal Convention and Airline Liability
The legal complaint draws attention to the Montreal Convention, an international treaty addressing airline liability, which both Qatar and the United States are party to. The convention establishes a statutory payout limit of approximately $175,000 for claims related to onboard deaths and injuries.
Implications for Airline Protocols on Dietary Restrictions
This incident has sparked debate about airline protocols concerning dietary restrictions and the care of elderly passengers. It is not an isolated case; other airlines have also encountered issues accommodating passengers with specific dietary needs. For instance, British reality star Jack Fowler faced life-threatening situations due to nut allergies on Qatar Airways flights, while a Singapore Airlines flight was diverted due to a passenger’s severe shellfish allergy.
Looking Ahead: Addressing Passenger Safety and Dietary Needs
The unfortunate event involving Dr. Jayaweera underscores the need for airlines to rigorously review and improve their meal service protocols to ensure the safety of passengers with dietary restrictions. It also raises questions about the adequacy of current medical emergency responses during flights, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive training for cabin crews.
