A flight they’ll never forget: Couple speaks out after sitting next to a deceased passenger
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Air travel is full of unexpected moments—some exciting, others unsettling.
For one couple, what was supposed to be a smooth journey to their dream vacation took an unimaginable turn.
What would you do if you suddenly found yourself sitting next to someone who passed away mid-flight?
Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin were on a Qatar Airways flight from Melbourne to Doha, looking forward to their trip to Venice, Italy.
But about ten hours into the flight, their experience took a heartbreaking turn when a fellow passenger collapsed and passed away right in front of them.
Despite the crew’s efforts, the woman could not be revived. “It was pretty heartbreaking to watch,” Ring told the Australian news program A Current Affair.
But what happened next left them in shock.
With no other apparent options, the flight crew placed the woman’s body in an empty seat—right next to them.
“They looked around, saw available seats beside me, and just said, ‘Can you move over please?’” Ring recalled. “Then they placed the lady in the chair I was in.”
The couple remained in their seats for the rest of the flight, unable to relocate.
Upon landing, they were required to stay seated while medical staff attended to the situation.
Despite the distressing experience, they received no offer of support or counseling from the airline, leaving them feeling overlooked in an already emotional situation.
Also read: An unexpected journey: the tragic story behind a man transporting his deceased mother’s body
In response, Qatar Airways issued a statement to NBC News, expressing condolences to the deceased passenger’s family.
"First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family of the passenger who sadly passed away on board our flight," the airline said.
They added that they were in the process of contacting passengers in accordance with their policies.
While in-flight deaths are rare, this incident raises important questions about airline protocols.
Most carriers have procedures in place, such as covering the deceased with a blanket or moving them to a more private area when possible.
However, this couple’s experience highlights the need for clearer communication and stronger support for passengers who witness such distressing events.
Also read: You won't believe who paid for this man's $85 breakfast—it could happen to you too!
For Ring and Colin, the incident has undoubtedly cast a shadow over their vacation. “I’m trying to make the best of a pretty hard situation,” Colin shared.
“But, you know, we’re on holiday, so we’re really trying to have a good time.”
Life is unpredictable, and moments like this remind us of the importance of compassion, preparedness, and support systems—especially in environments where unexpected situations can arise.
Read next: Cardiologists reveal the one type of coffee that's damaging your heart health every day!
What do you think? Have you ever experienced an unexpected situation while traveling? How do you think airlines should handle sensitive incidents like this? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
For one couple, what was supposed to be a smooth journey to their dream vacation took an unimaginable turn.
What would you do if you suddenly found yourself sitting next to someone who passed away mid-flight?
Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin were on a Qatar Airways flight from Melbourne to Doha, looking forward to their trip to Venice, Italy.
But about ten hours into the flight, their experience took a heartbreaking turn when a fellow passenger collapsed and passed away right in front of them.
Despite the crew’s efforts, the woman could not be revived. “It was pretty heartbreaking to watch,” Ring told the Australian news program A Current Affair.
Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin recount their unsettling experience of being seated next to a deceased passenger on a Qatar Airways flight. Image Source: YouTube / A Current Affair.
But what happened next left them in shock.
With no other apparent options, the flight crew placed the woman’s body in an empty seat—right next to them.
“They looked around, saw available seats beside me, and just said, ‘Can you move over please?’” Ring recalled. “Then they placed the lady in the chair I was in.”
The couple remained in their seats for the rest of the flight, unable to relocate.
Upon landing, they were required to stay seated while medical staff attended to the situation.
Despite the distressing experience, they received no offer of support or counseling from the airline, leaving them feeling overlooked in an already emotional situation.
In response, Qatar Airways issued a statement to NBC News, expressing condolences to the deceased passenger’s family.
"First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family of the passenger who sadly passed away on board our flight," the airline said.
They added that they were in the process of contacting passengers in accordance with their policies.
Mitchell Ring sits next to the deceased passenger during the final hours of the flight. Image Source: YouTube / A Current Affair.
While in-flight deaths are rare, this incident raises important questions about airline protocols.
Most carriers have procedures in place, such as covering the deceased with a blanket or moving them to a more private area when possible.
However, this couple’s experience highlights the need for clearer communication and stronger support for passengers who witness such distressing events.
For Ring and Colin, the incident has undoubtedly cast a shadow over their vacation. “I’m trying to make the best of a pretty hard situation,” Colin shared.
“But, you know, we’re on holiday, so we’re really trying to have a good time.”
Life is unpredictable, and moments like this remind us of the importance of compassion, preparedness, and support systems—especially in environments where unexpected situations can arise.
Read next: Cardiologists reveal the one type of coffee that's damaging your heart health every day!
What do you think? Have you ever experienced an unexpected situation while traveling? How do you think airlines should handle sensitive incidents like this? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
