Qatar Airways is facing a wrongful death lawsuit after an 85-year-old passenger, Dr. Asoka Jayaweera, reportedly died following a choking incident on board one of its flights.
According to court filings in California, the retired cardiologist and lifelong vegetarian had pre-ordered a vegetarian meal for his long-haul flight from Los Angeles to Colombo, Sri Lanka, with a stopover in Doha. However, the lawsuit claims the airline failed to provide the requested meal and instead offered him a standard dish containing meat, instructing him to “eat around” it.
While attempting to do so, Dr. Jayaweera allegedly began choking. Cabin crew sought remote medical advice from MedAire and administered oxygen, but his condition deteriorated as his oxygen levels reportedly fell sharply. The complaint alleges that the flight crew failed to make an emergency landing, despite being over the U.S. Midwest at the time and within range of diversion options.
The plane later landed in Edinburgh, Scotland, where Dr. Jayaweera was rushed to a hospital but pronounced dead on August 3, 2023. Doctors attributed his death to aspiration pneumonia, caused by inhalation of food particles into the lungs.
His son, Surya Jayaweera, has filed suit against Qatar Airways, accusing the carrier of negligence and breach of duty of care. The case cites the Montreal Convention, the international treaty governing airline liability for injury or death during international flights.
Legal experts say the case could test the limits of airline responsibility in meal service obligations and in-flight medical emergencies. Qatar Airways has yet to issue an official response to the allegations.
