Tragic Incident-Qatar Airways Vegetarian Passenger Dies After Being Served Meat-Based Meal

A meal mix-up on a Qatar Airways flight led to the death of an 85-year-old passenger and a subsequent wrongful death lawsuit.

Dr. Asoka Jayaweera, a retired cardiologist from Southern California, had booked a vegetarian meal for his long-haul flight from Los Angeles to Colombo on June 30, 2023. However, upon being served, he was told no vegetarian option was available. Instead, flight attendants offered him the regular non-vegetarian meal and instructed him to “eat around” the meat.

While attempting to follow the instructions, Dr. Jayaweera began choking and lost consciousness. The flight crew quickly intervened and sought guidance from MedAire, a remote medical advisory service, but his condition continued to worsen. The aircraft diverted and landed in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was rushed to a hospital. Despite medical efforts, Dr. Jayaweera was pronounced dead on August 3, 2023.

Medical reports confirmed that the cause of death was aspiration pneumonia, a serious lung infection that occurs when food, liquid, or vomit is inhaled into the lungs, causing inflammation and infection.

In response to the tragedy, Dr. Jayaweera’s son, Surya Jayaweera, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Qatar Airways. The suit alleges negligence both in failing to provide the pre-ordered vegetarian meal and in the handling of the in-flight medical emergency. The claim seeks $128,821 in damages, the statutory minimum for wrongful death claims, emphasizing the family’s concern over lapses in basic passenger care.

“The airline failed to honor a pre-ordered meal and did not respond adequately when my father needed help,” Surya Jayaweera stated in court documents, according to media reports.

The incident highlights critical concerns regarding airline passenger safety, especially for elderly or vulnerable travelers. It underscores the importance of accurate meal service, prompt emergency response, and proper medical protocols during flights. While airlines typically consult remote medical services in emergencies, this case illustrates that such measures may not always be sufficient when basic precautions are overlooked.

Qatar Airways has not publicly commented on the lawsuit, but the case is expected to draw attention to policies surrounding in-flight meal requests and emergency medical procedures.

The death of Dr. Asoka Jayaweera is a stark reminder of the responsibilities airlines bear in ensuring passenger safety. Families of affected passengers are increasingly seeking accountability, particularly when preventable errors, such as incorrect meal service, contribute to life-threatening situations.