An Australian couple, Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin, experienced a distressing situation when they were seated next to the body of a passenger who passed away mid-flight.

The couple were traveling with Qatar Airways from Melbourne to Venice when a woman onboard collapsed and died. The crew attempted to move her using a chair to transport her to business class, but due to her size, they were unable to maneuver her through the aisle.

With no other option, the deceased passenger was placed in a vacant seat beside the couple. They were asked to move over to accommodate the situation. So, they were seated next to the body for the remaining four hours of the flight.

In their interview with Current Affair, an Australian news program, Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin revealed vacant seats were available elsewhere. The Colins found the experience unsettling and felt that more could have been done to manage the situation.

They also expressed disappointment that no support or counseling had been offered after the incident. Airlines, they believed, have a duty to provide care and ensure passengers’ well-being in such circumstances.

Despite the distressing ordeal, they aimed to continue enjoying their vacation in Venice. While the incident had been difficult, they were determined to make the best of their trip.

The couple booked their flight through Qantas, which confirmed that handling onboard incidents falls under the responsibility of the operating airline, Qatar Airways.

A Qatar Airways representative extended condolences to the family of the deceased passenger and apologized for any distress caused to other travelers. The airline assured that they were reaching out to affected passengers per company policies to address any concerns.

#Clique, what are your thoughts?