What if your meal could cost you your life? This shocking reality unfolded aboard a Qatar Airways flight when an 85-year-old man tragically died after choking on a meat-based meal that was mistakenly served to him, despite his strict vegetarian diet. Asoka Jayaweera was on his way from Los Angeles to Colombo, with a layover at Hamad International Airport, when a simple meal mix-up led to catastrophic consequences.

Jayaweera’s family has now filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Qatar Airways, alleging negligence and failure to provide the pre-ordered vegetarian meal. Instead, the airline instructed him to “eat around” the meat in the meal provided. This lapse in service turned fatal as Jayaweera began choking mid-flight. The incident took place roughly two and a half hours into the journey, according to legal documents submitted by his son, Surya Jayaweera.

Despite the crew's frantic attempts to help, using medical equipment and remote support from MedAire, Jayaweera's health rapidly declined. Reports indicate his oxygen saturation plummeted to a critical 69%, and he remained unresponsive for over three hours until the aircraft made an emergency landing in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Interestingly, while the flight crew initially claimed they were unable to divert the plane due to being over the Arctic Ocean, the lawsuit disputes this, asserting that they were flying over U.S. territory at the time, where a diversion could have been executed. This delay, according to the complaint, significantly contributed to the tragic outcome.

Ultimately, Jayaweera succumbed to aspiration pneumonia — a deadly lung infection caused by inhaling food or liquid. Qatar Airways, known for offering a range of special meal options, including vegetarian choices, is now under intense scrutiny. This incident echoes a troubling pattern, with several reports surfacing of food-related mishaps aboard their flights, prompting serious questions about their catering protocols.

Furthermore, with both Qatar and the U.S. adhering to the Montreal Convention, Qatar Airways is facing a maximum payout cap of around $175,000 for such claims. However, Surya Jayaweera is pursuing damages that exceed this limit, citing not only his father's death but also legal costs and interest. The airline has yet to comment publicly on the lawsuit, but as legal proceedings unfold, they may unveil whether internal protocol failures or miscommunications played a role in this heartbreaking incident.

This case could set an important precedent for victim claims related to in-flight meals and emergency medical protocols. It emphasizes the critical need for precise meal handling, effective medical response strategies, and rigorous flight crew training to manage emergencies at cruising altitude. Stay informed as we continue to follow this developing story.