In a haunting in-flight mishap, an Australian couple were left traumatized and distressed after airline staff put the body of a deceased passenger next to them on a Qatar Airways flight. The passenger had apparently died aboard the flight, and the staff, with no choice, placed the body into a seat in close proximity to the couple.

The couple, on their way to Europe for the much-anticipated vacation, have referred to the experience as “traumatic” and “harrowing.” The couple claimed that, even in the challenging circumstances, greater efforts could have been made to keep them—and other passengers on board—”safe from such distressing proximity” to the deceased.

Aviation experts say that airlines have some protocols when dealing with in-flight medical emergencies and deaths, but situations can vary depending on the aircraft configuration, passenger load, and nature of the incident. As much as some airlines try to move a dead passenger to a more quiet or less conspicuous section, options are quite limited on a packed plane.

The event also raises questions about emergency procedures and how much airlines can prepare for unexpected events without jeopardizing the comfort and safety of other passengers. As the global travel industry continues to recover, analysts note that a review and a refinement of procedures for responding to in-flight medical emergencies are needed to ensure a more humane response to such rare, but highly traumatic, occurrences.

Note: The facts in this article are based on publicly posted reports of the incident. For official release or further information, please refer to Qatar Airways’ public communications and aviation regulatory regulations.

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