An Australian couple was left traumatized after being forced to sit next to a deceased passenger for four hours on a Qatar Airways flight from Melbourne to Venice, as the crew was unable to move the large body elsewhere.
Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin were en route to their dream vacation in Italy when another female passenger collapsed and died mid-flight, 9 Now reported. The cabin crew attempted to relocate the body to the business class section but found it impossible due to the passenger's size.
"Unfortunately the lady couldn't be saved, which was pretty heartbreaking to watch," Ring said. "They tried to wheel her up towards business class, but she was quite a large lady and they couldn't get her through the aisle."
Instead, they placed the deceased woman in Ring's seat, leaving the couple to endure the rest of the journey seated next to the corpse.
"There were a few spare seats I could see around us," Ring said. "I can't believe they told us to stay ... it wasn't nice."
Despite visible vacant seats elsewhere on the plane, the couple claims they were not offered an alternative seating arrangement by Qatar Airways staff. Another passenger kindly offered Colin a different seat, but Ring had to remain next to the deceased for the remainder of the flight.
Upon landing, passengers were instructed to stay seated while medical crews removed the body, with the blanket covering the woman briefly lifted, exposing her face.
The couple has expressed their distress and frustration, stating that neither Qatar Airways nor Qantas, which booked their tickets, has provided them with any counseling or support following the incident.
Qatar Airways has since responded, saying they are investigating the matter and contacting affected passengers per their policies.
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