An Australian couple traveling to Venice experienced a distressing incident on a Qatar Airways flight when the body of a deceased passenger was placed next to them.

Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin were aboard the flight from Melbourne to Doha when a woman suffered a medical emergency and subsequently died in the aisle beside them.

The couple expressed their trauma over the situation, recounting how the cabin crew placed the woman, covered in blankets, in the seat next to Mr. Ring for the final four hours of the flight.

Qatar Airways has expressed its condolences, stating they apologize for any distress this incident may have caused and are currently in the process of reaching out to affected passengers.

The couple mentioned that they had not received any communication or support from either Qatar Airways or Qantas, the airline through which the tickets were booked.

According to Mr. Ring, the cabin crew acted quickly when the passenger collapsed, indicating that they attempted to move her body to the business class section.

However, logistical challenges prevented them from doing so, as the woman was described as large in stature.

Despite available seats nearby, Mr. Ring indicated he was not offered the opportunity to relocate to another seat when the crew requested that he move slightly, resulting in him sitting beside the deceased until landing.

When the flight arrived in Doha, passengers were instructed to remain seated while medical personnel and police boarded the aircraft.

Mr. Ring reported witnessing medical staff uncover the woman’s face while they attended to the situation.

The couple emphasized the need for an established protocol to ensure passenger welfare in such unsettling circumstances.

They suggested that airlines should proactively check on the well-being of other passengers following a traumatic event like this.

Ms. Colin characterized the experience as traumatic and highlighted the importance of having a system in place to provide support for passengers following similar incidents.

In a formal statement, Qatar Airways extended their thoughts to the family of the deceased passenger, reaffirming their duty to inform and support those onboard.

A spokesperson for Qantas clarified that in-flight emergencies and incidents are primarily managed by the operating carrier, in this case, Qatar Airways.