Imagine boarding a flight, only to face a life-or-death situation because of a simple meal mix-up. This is the heartbreaking story of Asoka Jayaweera, an 85-year-old cardiologist from California, who allegedly choked to death on a flight after being denied the vegetarian meal he had requested. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was this a tragic accident or a preventable failure by the airline? Let’s dive into the details.
On August 1, 2023, Dr. Jayaweera was aboard a Qatar Airways flight from Los Angeles to Sri Lanka when a cabin crew member informed him that no vegetarian meal options were available. Instead, he was reportedly told to “eat around” the meat in the meal provided. This occurred two hours into the 15-hour journey, according to The Independent. Shortly after being served, Dr. Jayaweera began to choke, though it remains unclear what specific item caused the obstruction. And this is the part most people miss: Despite the emergency, the flight crew allegedly did not divert the plane, claiming they were over the Arctic Circle and crossing the Arctic Ocean. However, the complaint filed by Dr. Jayaweera’s son argues that an emergency landing was feasible, as the plane was flying over Wisconsin at the time.
During the crisis, the crew administered oxygen, but Dr. Jayaweera lost consciousness. Medical assistance was sought from MedAire, a remote aviation-trained emergency service, but their efforts were unsuccessful. The plane continued its course and landed eight hours later in Edinburgh, Scotland, where Dr. Jayaweera was rushed to the hospital. Tragically, he succumbed to aspiration pneumonia on August 3, 2023, a condition caused by inhaling food or liquid into the lungs.
Now, the question arises: Could this tragedy have been avoided? Dr. Jayaweera’s son is suing Qatar Airways for negligence and wrongful death, seeking the statutory minimum of $128,821 in damages, plus legal fees. Here’s the controversial angle: Should airlines be held to stricter standards for accommodating dietary restrictions, especially when a passenger’s life is at stake? Or is this an unfortunate but unforeseeable incident? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. This case not only highlights the importance of clear communication and preparedness in aviation but also sparks a broader debate about passenger safety and airline responsibility. What do you think—could more have been done to save Dr. Jayaweera’s life?
