A tragic in-flight death has sparked a lawsuit against Qatar Airways after an 85-year-old passenger, who had requested a vegetarian meal, was reportedly told to “eat around” the meat served to him.
What happened on the Qatar Airways flight?
On June 23, 2023, Asoka Jayaweera, an 85-year-old cardiologist from Southern California, boarded a Qatar Airways flight from Los Angeles to Colombo, Sri Lanka. According to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by his son, Surya, Jayaweera had pre-ordered a vegetarian meal. However, when meal service began a few hours into the journey, the crew informed him that no vegetarian meals were left.
Instead, the flight attendant allegedly suggested he “eat around” the meat portion of a regular meal. While doing so, Jayaweera reportedly began choking. He quickly lost consciousness as flight attendants attempted to assist him.
The airline’s response during the medical emergency
The crew reportedly contacted MedAire, a medical service that connects airlines to ER doctors for in-flight emergencies.
According to the complaint, Jayaweera’s oxygen levels dropped to 69%, far below safe levels, and he remained unresponsive for more than three hours.
The captain, the lawsuit claims, decided not to divert the flight, stating the aircraft was “over the Arctic Ocean.” However, Surya Jayaweera argues that radar data shows the plane was actually over Wisconsin, making an emergency landing possible.
When the aircraft finally landed in Edinburgh, Scotland, Jayaweera was taken to a hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead. The cause of death was listed as aspiration pneumonia, an infection that can occur when food or liquid is inhaled into the lungs instead of being swallowed.
What does the lawsuit allege?
The wrongful death lawsuit, initially filed in California state court on July 31 and later moved to federal court on October 3, accuses Qatar Airways of:
- Negligence in meal service and passenger care.
- Failure to respond appropriately to a medical emergency.
- Misrepresentation about the aircraft’s location during the crisis.
Surya Jayaweera is seeking damages that exceed the limits established by the Montreal Convention, which typically caps compensation for onboard deaths and injuries at around $175,000.
The complaint argues that the airline’s “reckless disregard for passenger safety” led directly to Jayaweera’s death and that its staff were not adequately trained to handle such medical emergencies.
Why this case matters for airlines and passengers
This incident raises broader questions about airline accountability, particularly in cases where dietary restrictions are not respected or medical emergencies are mishandled.
1. Growing scrutiny over in-flight meal protocols
Airlines often rely on third-party caterers to supply special meals such as vegetarian, vegan, or halal options. However, supply shortages or mismanagement can result in mix-ups, as seen here. Passenger advocacy groups argue that when airlines accept pre-booked meal requests, they take on a duty of care to honor those commitments — especially for passengers with medical, religious, or ethical dietary restrictions.
2. Ethical and operational responsibility during emergencies
Medical diversions are expensive and logistically challenging, but aviation safety experts say life always takes priority over cost or schedule. If Jayaweera’s family’s claim about the flight’s true location is accurate, the decision not to divert could come under legal and ethical scrutiny.
What legal precedent could this case set?
If the court finds Qatar Airways liable, it could set a precedent for expanding damages beyond the Montreal Convention limit, a significant shift in aviation law.
Legal analysts suggest that negligence linked to specific service failures, such as meal handling or miscommunication during a crisis, could justify higher payouts. Similar cases in the past, though rare, have led to airlines tightening staff training and emergency response procedures.
How passengers can protect themselves
While such tragedies are uncommon, travelers with strict dietary or medical needs can take certain precautions:
- Confirm meal requests in advance and again during check-in.
- Carry appropriate snacks or food substitutes when possible.
- Inform the crew about any dietary restrictions or allergies at the start of the flight.
- Keep emergency contact details and medical information easily accessible.
For airlines, this case is a reminder that passenger trust depends on consistency, empathy, and preparedness.
The bigger picture: What’s at stake for Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways, one of the world’s top-rated carriers, faces not only legal consequences but also reputational damage.
If proven true, the allegations could impact how global airlines handle dietary requests and in-flight health emergencies.
Aviation industry observers say this lawsuit may encourage carriers to:
- Audit their special meal inventory systems,
- Strengthen in-flight medical training, and
- Reassess diversion policies when lives are at risk.
TL;DR
An 85-year-old vegetarian passenger, Dr. Asoka Jayaweera, died after allegedly choking on a non-vegetarian meal served on a Qatar Airways flight. The crew advised him to “eat around” the meat, and when he choked, the pilot refused to divert despite the flight being over the U.S., not the Arctic as claimed. His son has filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking damages beyond the Montreal Convention limits, arguing the airline was negligent in both meal service and emergency response.
