An Australian couple has expressed their distress after being seated next to a corpse during a Qatar Airways flight. The incident occurred on February 26, 2025, during a 14-hour journey from Melbourne to Doha, when a passenger died mid-flight. Mitchell Ring and his wife, Jennifer Colin, were reportedly left next to the body for approximately four hours, even after the plane landed.
- Australian couple criticizes Qatar Airways
- Passenger died during 14-hour flight
- Corpse placed next to living passengers
- Couple waited four hours with the body
- Qatar Airways issued an apology statement
- Incident raised concerns about passenger protocols
The couple, Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin, were traveling to Venice when the incident occurred. Ring stated that the deceased passenger was a large woman, making it difficult for crew members to move her to business class. Instead, they placed her next to Ring, who noted that there were other empty seats available on the flight.
Despite the uncomfortable situation, Ring and Colin were not moved until the plane landed. They witnessed ambulance officers and police removing the blanket covering the body, which Ring described as an unpleasant experience. Colin expressed her concern about the lack of proper protocols for handling such situations on board.
Qatar Airways responded to the incident by apologizing for any distress caused. They extended their condolences to the family of the deceased passenger, emphasizing that they prioritize passenger care and comfort. The airline stated they are reviewing their procedures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
This incident raises important questions about airline protocols during emergencies and the treatment of passengers in distressing situations. As travel continues to resume globally, ensuring passenger safety and comfort remains a priority for airlines.
