85-year-old vegetarian passenger chokes to death after Qatar Airways tells him to eat around the meat of non-veg meal

In an unfortunate incident, an 85-year-old passenger choked to death on a Qatar Airways flight from the United States after reportedly being told to eat around the meat of a non-vegetarian meal.

As per reports, the elderly traveller was served non-vegetarian meal despite having pre-ordered a vegetarian option. However, during the flight, he was mistakenly served a meat-based dish. Upon realising the error, the passenger immediately alerted the cabin crew. Instead of replacing the meal, the flight attendants allegedly advised him to “eat around the meat.” Shortly after, the man reportedly began to choke and collapsed mid-flight. Despite attempts to assist, he could not be revived.

The unfortunate episode has sparked global outrage and prompted a wrongful death lawsuit against the airline.


Following the incident, the passenger’s family has filed a lawsuit against Qatar Airways, accusing the airline of negligence. The complaint alleges that the cabin crew failed to provide adequate medical assistance and did not divert the aircraft to the nearest airport for emergency care. Legal representatives for the family argue that both the meal mix-up and the lack of timely medical intervention directly contributed to the man’s death.

Qatar Airways' Response

Qatar Airways has expressed condolences to the bereaved family and stated that it is fully cooperating with authorities in the ongoing investigation. The airline also reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and announced that it is reviewing internal procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The incident underscores the critical importance of airlines adhering to passengers’ dietary preferences, particularly for those with health or religious restrictions. It also highlights the need for robust medical emergency protocols aboard long-haul flights.

As legal proceedings unfold, the case raises serious concerns about in-flight safety and service accountability — issues that could push airlines worldwide to strengthen their standards and ensure that such tragedies are never repeated.