85-Year-Old Passenger Dies After Choking During Qatar Airways Flight
A California man died after choking mid-flight on a Qatar Airways service, according to a wrongful death lawsuit. The family alleges that Qatar Airways passenger died because crew refused to provide the vegetarian meal he had ordered and instead instructed him to “eat around” meat in the regular meal served. (reported by Livemint)
The incident occurred during a long-haul journey from Los Angeles to Colombo in June 2023. The passenger, Dr. Asoka Jayaweera, a strict vegetarian and retired cardiologist, lost consciousness aboard the flight and later succumbed to complications after being hospitalized. (according to The Independent)
What the Lawsuit Alleges
Denied Vegetarian Meal & “Eat Around” Instruction
Court filings state that Jayaweera had pre-booked a vegetarian meal but was told aboard that none were available. The cabin crew is accused of offering only a meat-inclusive meal and telling him to “eat around” the meat. While attempting to do so, he began choking.
The complaint does not specify the exact item that caused the choking, but alleges serious lapses in crew response.
Emergency Response and Diversion Dispute
After the choking incident, cabin crew contacted MedAire, a medical assistance service used by airlines to provide remote medical guidance during in-flight emergencies.
At around 02:46 UTC, the passenger’s oxygen saturation was reported at 69%, well below safe levels. The crew continued administering oxygen and medications, but he never regained consciousness.
The family’s complaint disputes the airline’s claim that diversion was impossible due to being over the Arctic Circle, stating the flight was actually over the U.S. Midwest when the emergency began. They argue a diversion could have occurred at that time.
The flight eventually landed in Edinburgh, Scotland, where Jayaweera was hospitalized. He later died on August 3, 2023, with a post-mortem attributing the cause of death to aspiration pneumonia (resulting from inhalation of food or fluid into the lungs).
Legal Context & Airline Policies
Montreal Convention & Liability Limits
The lawsuit cites the Montreal Convention, which governs international airline liability for injury or death on board. While the convention allows for claims, it also imposes liability caps (approximately USD 175,000) unless the airline is found negligent. The family seeks compensation beyond that limit, including legal costs and interest.
Duty to Accommodate Dietary Requests
Qatar Airways provides several special meal options, including vegetarian and vegan choices. However, critics suggest that the availability and execution of such meals may still lag on certain flights. Airlines are generally expected to accommodate dietary restrictions when given advance notice, especially on long-haul flights. Failure to do so may expose them to legal and reputational risk.
Flight Diversion Standards and Medical Protocols
One key issue is the timing and decision to divert the aircraft for medical reasons. The family’s suit challenges the claim that diversion was unfeasible and alleges the crew delayed critical action. Also under scrutiny is the adequacy of in-flight medical training and whether the crew followed protocol under guidance from MedAire.
Implications for Airlines and Passengers
This case highlights multiple risks in passenger airline operations:
- Meal service and dietary compliance: The incident underscores how failure to deliver on pre-ordered special meals (vegetarian, allergen-free, etc.) can have severe health consequences.
- Emergency medical protocols: Airlines may face pressure to review when to divert flights, crew training, and remote medical support procedures.
- Liability and reputation: Even where legal liability is capped, airlines risk public backlash, regulatory scrutiny, and financial exposure in disputes over negligence.
- Passenger awareness: Travelers with dietary restrictions may become more vigilant—confirming meal orders, carrying safe backup foods, and knowing rights in in-flight emergencies.
For Qatar Airways, the lawsuit and media attention may prompt internal reviews of catering systems, crew medical training, and diversion policies.
FAQs
The passenger was Dr. Asoka Jayaweera, an 85-year-old cardiologist from California. He was a strict vegetarian and had pre-booked a meat-free meal for the flight.
According to his family’s lawsuit, the airline had run out of vegetarian meals and provided him a regular meal instead. He was instructed to “eat around” the meat in that meal, during which he choked.
The airline suggested a diversion was impossible, claiming the flight was over the Arctic Circle. The family disputes this, arguing that the plane was actually over the U.S. Midwest at the time and could have diverted sooner.
