Experiencing an uncomfortable flight is almost a rite of passage for frequent travelers. We’ve all endured the cacophony of coughs, the encroachment of fellow passengers into our limited space, or the well-meaning but relentless chatter of a seatmate. However, nothing could prepare two Australian travelers, Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin, for the truly unsettling experience they faced on a recent journey.
Their flight from Melbourne to Venice, operated by Qatar Airways, took a horrifying turn when a female passenger, after exiting the lavatory, collapsed and tragically passed away. The already distressing situation escalated when, due to the woman’s size and the narrow aisles, the flight crew made the decision to place her remains in the empty seat beside Ring and Colin.
“It was pretty heartbreaking to watch,” Ring recounted. “They went to try and move her… but she was quite a large lady and they couldn’t get her through the aisle.” He and Colin were then asked to shift over, and the deceased woman was positioned in the very seat Ring had occupied. For the remaining four hours of their international flight, they were forced to sit next to her. Despite the presence of visible empty seats, the crew instructed them to remain where they were.
The ordeal didn’t conclude upon landing. The couple were further traumatized when they were asked to remain seated as the crew removed the blankets covering the deceased.
Understandably, Ring and Colin were deeply shaken by the experience. They expressed profound disappointment in Qatar Airways’ handling of the situation, particularly the lack of subsequent support. “They have a duty of care towards their customers… we should be contacted to make sure, do you need some support, do you need some counseling,” Ring stated. “I don’t really know how I feel and would like to speak to somebody to make sure I’m alright.”
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While Ring and Colin claim they received no direct support, Qatar Airways issued a statement expressing their condolences and acknowledging the incident. “First and foremost our thoughts are with the family of the passenger who sadly passed away on board our flight,” a spokesperson said. “We apologize for any inconvenience or distress this incident may have caused, and are in the process of contacting passengers in line with our policies and procedures.”
Despite the trauma, Ring and Colin are trying to salvage their vacation. “I’m trying to make the best of a pretty hard situation, but, you know, we’re on holidays so we’re really trying to have a good time,” Colin said, attempting to find a silver lining amidst an unforgettable and deeply disturbing experience.