Vegetarian Passenger Dies After Allegedly Being Served Meat on qatar Airways Flight
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – A vegetarian passenger died onboard a Qatar Airways flight after allegedly being served a meal containing meat, leading to choking and subsequent complications, according to a lawsuit filed by his son. Dr. Mohan Jayaweera, 74, passed away during a flight from Doha to Edinburgh on October 9, 2023, after reportedly consuming part of a meal despite pre-ordering a vegetarian option.
The death has sparked a legal challenge seeking damages for negligence and wrongful death, raising questions about airline catering procedures and adherence to passenger dietary requirements. The case highlights the potential consequences of miscommunication or error in serving special meals, impacting travelers with allergies or specific dietary needs. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S.District Court for the Eastern District of New York, seeks to hold Qatar Airways accountable under the Montreal Convention, an international treaty governing airline liability.
According to the complaint, Dr. Jayaweera had pre-ordered a vegetarian meal for the flight. However, upon receiving his food, he was allegedly instructed by flight stewards to “eat around” any meat present. He consumed a portion of the meal before beginning to choke. Crew members attempted to assist,administering oxygen,but his oxygen saturation levels remained critically low throughout the remainder of the flight.
The complaint details that Dr. Jayaweera was unconscious for approximately three and a half hours before the flight landed in Edinburgh,where he was promptly transported to a hospital. He was later pronounced dead, with the cause of death steadfast to be aspiration pneumonia, an infection resulting from inhaling food or liquid into the lungs.
Qatar Airways offers 19 special meals in addition to standard options, including seven meat-free choices to accommodate dietary restrictions. The lawsuit notes both Qatar and the United States are signatories to the Montreal Convention, which establishes a payout limit of roughly $175,000 for onboard death and injury claims.
Dr. Jayaweera’s son, Surya Jayaweera, is pursuing legal action, alleging negligence and wrongful death. the case is ongoing, and Qatar Airways has not yet publicly commented on the specific allegations.
