4 Tragic Incidents And The Legal Fallout: Unpacking Recent Passenger Deaths On Qatar Airways Flights

The global aviation industry, despite its remarkable safety record, is not immune to tragedy, and in the period between late 2023 and December 10, 2025, Qatar Airways has unfortunately been associated with two separate, high-profile passenger deaths that have drawn international attention and scrutiny. These incidents—one a sudden medical emergency and the other a case involving a controversial meal service—have put a spotlight on in-flight medical preparedness, catering protocols, and the airline's duty of care to its passengers.

The stark reality of a passenger passing away mid-flight is a rare but deeply disturbing event for all involved, raising serious questions for both the airline and the traveling public about the inherent risks of long-haul travel and the specific circumstances that can turn a routine journey into a heartbreaking tragedy. Below is a detailed look at the most recent and significant incidents involving passenger fatalities on Qatar Airways, the official findings, and the ongoing legal ramifications.

The Tragic Case of Dr. Asoka Jayaweera: Wrongful Death Lawsuit and Meal Service Negligence

One of the most widely reported and legally contentious incidents involves the death of an elderly passenger in 2023, which has since led to a significant wrongful death lawsuit against the airline. The details of the case revolve around a pre-ordered special meal and allegations of severe negligence by the flight crew.

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Biography and Incident Profile: Dr. Asoka Jayaweera

• Name: Dr. Asoka Jayaweera
• Age: 85 years old
• Profession: Veteran Cardiologist (Southern California)
• Dietary Requirement: Strict Vegetarian
• Flight Route: Los Angeles (LAX) to Sri Lanka (via Doha)
• Date of Incident: 2023 (Specific date not always disclosed in reports, but the event occurred in 2023)
• Alleged Cause of Death: Choking after being served a meat-based meal instead of his pre-ordered vegetarian meal.
• Legal Action: Wrongful Death Lawsuit filed by his son, Surya Jayaweera.
• Allegation Focus: Negligence in meal service and failure to provide adequate medical assistance.

The Allegations of Meal Service Failure

Dr. Asoka Jayaweera, an 85-year-old cardiologist and strict vegetarian, was traveling on a Qatar Airways flight from Los Angeles to Sri Lanka. According to the lawsuit filed by his son, Surya Jayaweera, the elderly passenger had pre-ordered a vegetarian meal due to his dietary restrictions.

The core of the legal complaint is that the flight crew allegedly failed to provide the pre-ordered meal. Instead, Dr. Jayaweera was served a non-vegetarian dish. When he complained, the flight attendant allegedly instructed him to "eat around" the meat. Tragically, Dr. Jayaweera reportedly choked on the meat-based meal and died mid-flight.

This incident has sparked a major debate about the critical importance of honoring special dietary requests, especially for passengers with health conditions or strict requirements like vegetarianism or allergies. The lawsuit asserts that this alleged negligence directly led to the passenger's death, demanding accountability from the airline for its catering and in-flight service protocols.

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The October 2024 Medical Emergency: Flight QR731 to Dallas

A separate, non-negligence-related fatality occurred in late 2024, highlighting the unfortunate reality of sudden medical emergencies at high altitudes. This incident involved a flight from the airline's hub in Doha to the United States.

Biography and Incident Profile: Mahasen Mohamed

• Name: Mahasen Mohamed
• Age: 63 years old
• Flight Route: Doha (DOH) to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Flight Number: QR731
• Date of Incident: October 31, 2024
• Official Cause of Death: Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
• Response: First responders were dispatched to the aircraft upon arrival at DFW.

Details of the 2024 In-Flight Death

On October 31, 2024, Qatar Airways flight QR731, a long-haul journey from Doha, Qatar, to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), experienced an unexpected and tragic medical emergency. A 63-year-old female passenger, Mahasen Mohamed, passed away during the flight.

Officials later released the cause of death, confirming that the passenger succumbed to a pulmonary embolism (PE). A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot, often formed in the legs (Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT), travels to the lungs, blocking blood flow. While a serious medical condition, PE is a known risk factor associated with prolonged immobility, making it a recognized, albeit rare, risk of long-haul air travel. The airline and airport first responders were dispatched to the scene upon landing, but unfortunately, the passenger was already deceased.

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This incident serves as a crucial reminder for all passengers, particularly those with pre-existing conditions or mobility issues, about the importance of preventive measures against DVT, such as regular movement, walking, and wearing compression stockings during extended flights.

Qatar Airways' Overall Safety Record and Contextual Authority

Despite these recent, isolated passenger fatalities, it is essential to contextualize them against the airline's overall operational history and safety standing. The vast majority of in-flight deaths are due to natural causes, such as heart attacks, strokes, or pulmonary embolisms, and are not the result of an airline accident or operational failure.

A Strong, Accident-Free Operational History

When assessing the safety of an airline, the key metric is typically its record regarding fatal accidents and hull losses. In this regard, Qatar Airways maintains an exceptionally strong safety profile. The airline has consistently been ranked among the world's top safest airlines.

• Zero Fatal Accidents: Qatar Airways has never suffered a fatal accident in its history.
• Minimal Hull Losses: The airline has only lost two aircraft in its operational history, neither resulting in fatalities.
• Global Safety Ranking: The airline frequently appears on lists of the world's safest carriers, a testament to its operational standards and maintenance protocols.

The distinction between an operational accident (like a crash or major failure) and an in-flight medical emergency is critical for topical authority. The recent incidents, while tragic, fall under the category of in-flight medical events and alleged service negligence, not a failure of the aircraft's structural integrity or flight operations.

The Broader Implications for Airline Protocols and Passenger Rights

The two cases—the 2023 choking death and the 2024 pulmonary embolism—have distinct implications for the airline industry, forcing a review of several key operational areas.

Reviewing Special Meal Service and Catering

The lawsuit concerning Dr. Jayaweera has put immense pressure on airlines to tighten their catering and meal service protocols. The core issue is the potential for a catastrophic failure in the chain of service—from booking the special meal (e.g., vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, nut-free) to the final delivery by a flight attendant. For passengers with severe allergies or strict medical diets, a mistake in meal service can be life-threatening. The result of this legal action will likely set a precedent for how seriously airlines must treat pre-ordered dietary requirements and the level of accountability for crew negligence.

Enhancing In-Flight Medical Response

While the death of Mahasen Mohamed was attributed to a pulmonary embolism, a natural cause, it raises the perennial issue of in-flight medical preparedness. Airlines are required to carry certain medical equipment, but the ability of flight attendants to handle a severe medical crisis, such as a heart attack or PE, is limited. The use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) and the presence of medical volunteers among the passengers are often the only immediate resources available. The industry is constantly evaluating whether more advanced medical training or equipment should be mandatory on long-haul flights to improve outcomes for sudden medical emergencies.

In conclusion, while Qatar Airways maintains a stellar safety record concerning operational accidents, the recent passenger fatalities serve as a powerful and unfortunate reminder of the inherent risks of air travel, both medical and human-error related. The ongoing legal battle will likely shape future standards for customer service and duty of care across the entire global aviation sector.