In a series of alarming incidents that have unfolded in the skies over the past week, two separate flights—one operated by Qatar Airways and the other by British Airways—have come under scrutiny after passengers died mid-flight, sparking legal, regulatory, and public relations challenges for the airlines involved.
On a Qatar Airways flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH), 85-year-old Southern California cardiologist Asoka Jayaweera lost his life under circumstances now at the center of a wrongful death lawsuit. According to reports compiled by Simple Flying and The Independent, Dr. Jayaweera had pre-ordered a vegetarian meal for the 15.5-hour journey. However, when meal service began roughly 2.5 hours into the flight, he was served a standard meal containing meat. Crew members allegedly told him to “eat around” the meat when he raised his concerns.
The situation took a tragic turn when Dr. Jayaweera began to choke during the meal. Despite the crew’s attempts to assist him, his oxygen saturation reportedly plummeted below 70% and never rose above 85%, according to the wrongful death complaint. The family contends that the incident happened while the flight was still over U.S. airspace near Wisconsin, but the captain refused to divert, insisting the plane was already over the Arctic. Ultimately, the aircraft landed at Edinburgh Airport (EDI), where Dr. Jayaweera, who had been unconscious for approximately 3.5 hours, was pronounced dead on arrival.
Dr. Jayaweera’s family claims that aspiration pneumonia—resulting from the choking episode—was the cause of death. They have filed a lawsuit alleging negligence, citing the failure to provide the pre-ordered vegetarian meal, the dismissive response from crew members, inadequate in-flight medical intervention, and the captain’s refusal to divert the flight despite the passenger’s deteriorating condition. The complaint, as described by Simple Flying, asserts that these failures directly contributed to the fatal outcome.
Qatar Airways, for its part, has yet to issue a public statement in response to requests for comment from media outlets. The airline faces significant legal exposure under the Montreal Convention, which governs liability for incidents occurring onboard international flights. Legal experts note that if the allegations are substantiated, the airline could be held liable for damages, as the Montreal Convention allows passengers or their estates to seek compensation for injuries or deaths resulting from airline negligence.
“Telling a passenger to ‘eat around’ the meat, which allegations insist ultimately led to choking, and the lack of an appropriate in-flight medical response could all be grounds for such a suit,” Simple Flying reported. The incident has raised questions about airline procedures for handling special meal requests and medical emergencies, as well as the protocols for diverting flights in the event of a passenger’s life-threatening distress.
The legal and reputational implications for Qatar Airways are potentially far-reaching. Such incidents are rare but can have a profound impact on public perception, especially if subsequent investigations confirm the family’s account of events. As the story continues to develop, passengers and industry observers alike await further details from the airline and relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, British Airways also faced a mid-air tragedy when a retired Nigerian Air Vice Marshal died onboard a flight from London Heathrow to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Nigeria. The incident, which occurred on Sunday night (October 5 or 6, based on reporting dates), forced the aircraft to make an emergency landing in Barcelona, as reported by Nigerian media and This Day newspaper.
The sudden death triggered chaos on board, reportedly leading to a secondary medical emergency involving a pregnant woman. British Airways regional commercial manager for Nigeria & Ghana, Mrs. Tutu Otuyalo, confirmed the incident and stated that the deceased had been terminally ill. The airline issued a public apology, telling passengers: “Passengers are advised to expect an email with more information and can reach out to the airline’s Live Chat feature for support. British Airways acknowledges the inconvenience and thanks passengers for their patience and understanding.”
While the circumstances differ from the Qatar Airways case—there is no indication of procedural failure or negligence in the British Airways incident—the event nonetheless underscores the unpredictable and often challenging nature of managing medical emergencies at 35,000 feet. British Airways’ prompt communication and acknowledgment of the situation have been generally well received, although the airline now faces the delicate task of supporting affected passengers and crew in the aftermath.
These back-to-back incidents have reignited debate within the aviation industry about the adequacy of in-flight medical protocols, the training of cabin crew, and the responsibilities of airlines to accommodate passengers’ dietary and health needs. Legal experts point out that, while airlines are generally prepared for common medical issues, rare and complex emergencies—such as choking or severe illness—can quickly overwhelm available resources. The decision to divert a flight is never made lightly, as it involves balancing the needs of the affected passenger against operational and safety considerations for everyone onboard.
Adding to the week’s aviation woes, an unrelated mechanical incident occurred on an Air India flight on October 4. The aircraft’s emergency power device, known as the ram air turbine, was unexpectedly activated during descent into Birmingham. The Federation of Indian Pilots, India’s largest pilots’ union, has called for regulators to ground all Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft in the country, describing the incident as “unprecedented.” This follows a previous crash involving the same aircraft model in Ahmedabad in June that resulted in 260 fatalities.
While the Air India episode is not directly connected to the mid-flight deaths on Qatar Airways and British Airways, it highlights the broader challenges facing the global aviation industry—ranging from passenger health crises to technical malfunctions. Each event, in its own way, serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and risks inherent in commercial air travel.
As investigations into these incidents proceed, the families of those lost seek answers and, in some cases, justice. Airlines, meanwhile, are left to reckon with the fallout—both legal and reputational—while striving to reassure the public that the skies remain safe. The aviation world will be watching closely as these stories unfold, hoping for lessons that might prevent similar tragedies in the future.
For now, the industry faces hard questions about accountability, preparedness, and compassion at 35,000 feet—questions for which passengers and their families deserve clear, honest answers.
