A tragic incident unfolded aboard a Qatar Airways flight from Los Angeles to Colombo, Sri Lanka, involving an 85-year-old passenger. Asoka Jayaweera, a strict vegetarian, booked his journey on June 23, 2023, with a planned stop in Doha. His son, Surya Jayaweera, filed a wrongful death lawsuit, detailing the events that led to his father’s demise.
Incident Details
Approximately two and a half hours into the 15-and-a-half-hour flight, Jayaweera was served a meal that did not align with his dietary preferences. Despite requesting a vegetarian option, he was informed that none were available. Instead, he received a meal that contained meat.
According to the lawsuit, Jayaweera was advised by the flight attendant to “eat around” the meat. This led to a choking incident, which proved fatal. Flight crew members attempted to assist him and contacted MedAire, an emergency medical service, for guidance.
Choking and Emergency Response
While under medical observation, Jayaweera’s oxygen saturation fell dangerously low, reaching 69 percent. The crew claimed they could not divert to a hospital due to being over the Arctic Circle at the time of the incident.
However, Surya Jayaweera disputes this claim, alleging that the aircraft was actually over the Midwest, where a diversion could have occurred. Unfortunately, by the time the flight landed in Edinburgh, Scotland, Jayaweera was unconscious and later died from aspiration pneumonia on August 3, 2023.
Legal Actions and Airline Policies
The lawsuit filed seeks damages for negligence and wrongful death, exceeding the limits set by the Montreal Convention, which governs airline liability in cases of in-flight death or injury. Currently, the convention stipulates a maximum compensation of approximately $175,000 for such incidents.
- Asoka Jayaweera: 85 years old, strict vegetarian, died after choking on a meal.
- Date of Incident: August 3, 2023.
- Flight Details: Los Angeles to Colombo, with stop in Doha.
- Airline Response: Qatar Airways has not commented on the lawsuit.
This incident sheds light on the challenges faced by passengers with specific dietary restrictions. Previous cases have also raised concerns about inadequate food options aboard flights, underscoring the importance of better accommodations for travelers with allergies or dietary preferences.
