Flying is usually an exciting experience for travelers, especially those embarking on international journeys. However, for one Australian couple, their flight turned into a heartbreaking and distressing ordeal when Couple Forced to Sit Next to Woman’s Dead Body for four hours on a Qatar Airways flight.
This shocking incident occurred during a long-haul journey from Melbourne, Australia, to Venice, Italy, leaving the couple emotionally shaken and questioning the airline’s handling of the situation.
A Tragic Mid-Air Incident
Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin were eagerly anticipating their trip to Venice, unaware of the tragic event that would unfold mid-flight. During the journey, a fellow passenger, a woman, suddenly collapsed and lost consciousness.
The airline crew quickly responded, attempting to assist her, but despite their efforts, she tragically passed away. The flight crew initially tried to move her to another section of the plane, even considering business class, but due to her physical size and the limited space in the aisle, they were unable to do so.
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Instead, the crew made a decision that left the couple in shock—they placed the deceased woman in a vacant seat right next to them. With over four hours still left in the flight, Ring and Colin found themselves sitting beside a lifeless body, experiencing an emotional turmoil that they never could have anticipated.
Passenger’s Grief and Lack of Support
For Ring and Colin, the experience was overwhelming. Ring described it as “heartbreaking to watch,” emphasizing the emotional distress they felt during those long hours. Despite their discomfort, the crew instructed them to remain in their seats and did not offer an alternative arrangement.
Ring recalled the moment when he was asked to vacate his seat so the woman’s body could be placed there. “They said, ‘Can you move over please?’ and I just said, ‘Yes, no problem,’” he explained. “Then they placed the lady in the chair I was in.”
While the couple understood the difficulty of managing such a situation on a crowded aircraft, they were deeply unsettled by the lack of available alternatives.
NEW: Australian couple recalls sitting next to a deceased woman for hours on a long-haul flight to Venice
— Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) February 25, 2025
Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin were on a Qatar Airways flight from Melbourne to Venice
A woman collapsed in the aisle after going to the toilet
Despite efforts from the… pic.twitter.com/ubaZQSW6ja
According to Ring, there were other vacant seats in the cabin that could have been used, yet they were not given an option to move. Being so close to the deceased passenger for such a long period left them feeling distressed and helpless.
After the flight landed, the couple expected some form of counseling or emotional support from the airline, but they were met with silence. Neither Qatar Airways nor Qantas, through which they had booked their tickets, reached out to check on their well-being.
“They have a duty of care towards their customers as well as their staff,” Ring said. “We should be contacted to make sure—do you need some support, do you need some counseling?” The absence of post-flight assistance only added to their frustration, making it harder for them to process the traumatic event.
Qatar Airways’ Response and Industry Practices
Following the couple’s public statements about the incident, Qatar Airways issued a response, extending their condolences to the deceased passenger’s family. The airline also acknowledged the distress the incident may have caused other passengers onboard.
“We apologize for any inconvenience or distress this incident may have caused,” a Qatar Airways spokesperson stated. “We are in the process of contacting passengers in line with our policies and procedures.”
However, this response did little to comfort Ring and Colin, who felt that more should have been done during and after the flight to address their emotional well-being.
As the aviation industry faces increasing scrutiny over in-flight emergency protocols, this incident raises important questions about how airlines should handle situations involving medical emergencies and deaths mid-flight.
Standard airline policies dictate that when a passenger dies on board, their body is typically moved to an area where it will cause the least disruption to other travelers.
This could mean relocating the deceased to an empty row, a crew rest area, or, in some cases, business class if space allows. However, on a full flight, options can be limited, making it challenging for crew members to find a suitable location.
Still, passengers who find themselves in such situations should not be left to process the trauma without adequate support. Airlines must ensure that those affected by these incidents receive counseling, follow-up communication, and proper assistance to cope with what can be a deeply distressing experience.
As Ring and Colin try to move past their ordeal and continue their vacation in Venice, their story serves as a stark reminder of the emotional toll that unexpected tragedies can have on passengers. It also highlights the need for airlines to reevaluate their crisis management procedures to provide better care and support for travelers in such unfortunate circumstances.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏