Full Breakdown
Qatar Airways Faces Lawsuit After Passenger's Fatal Choking Incident
10/8/2025, 9:36:29 PM
Incident Overview: Choking on a Non-Vegetarian Meal
A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against Qatar Airways following the death of 85-year-old Asoka Jayaweera, a cardiologist from Southern California, who allegedly choked on a non-vegetarian meal during a flight from Los Angeles to Colombo, Sri Lanka, on June 23, 2023. Jayaweera had pre-ordered a vegetarian meal, but upon boarding, he was informed by a flight attendant that no vegetarian options were available. Instead, he was given a meat-containing meal and instructed to "eat around" the meat. While attempting to do so, he began choking, leading to a medical emergency.
Timeline of Events
- June 23, 2023: Asoka Jayaweera boards a Qatar Airways flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Colombo, Sri Lanka, with a layover in Doha.
- Approximately 2.5 hours into the flight: Meal service begins, and Jayaweera is told there are no vegetarian meals left.
- Shortly after meal service: Jayaweera chokes on food while trying to eat around the meat.
- 02:46 UTC: His oxygen saturation level drops to 69%, prompting the crew to contact MedAire for medical assistance.
- 07:30 UTC: Jayaweera loses consciousness.
- 11:00 UTC: The flight lands in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he is taken to a hospital.
- August 3, 2023: Jayaweera is pronounced dead due to aspiration pneumonia, a condition caused by inhaling food into the lungs.
Legal Claims and Allegations
The lawsuit, filed by Jayaweera's son, Surya Jayaweera, claims negligence on the part of Qatar Airways for failing to provide the pre-ordered vegetarian meal and mishandling the medical emergency. The complaint alleges that the flight crew misrepresented the aircraft's location, stating it was over the Arctic Circle, which prevented an emergency landing. Surya contends that the plane was actually over the Midwest, where a diversion could have been made.
Official Statements & Responses
As of now, Qatar Airways has not publicly responded to the lawsuit. The airline typically offers 19 special meal options, including seven vegetarian choices, but the incident has raised questions about the adequacy of their meal service protocols and emergency response procedures.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of Qatar Airways have pointed to previous incidents involving dietary restrictions, highlighting a pattern of negligence in handling special meal requests. For instance, British reality star Jack Fowler reported near-fatal allergic reactions on Qatar Airways flights due to mislabeled meals. This incident has reignited discussions about the airline's commitment to passenger safety and dietary accommodations.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
There is a discrepancy regarding the aircraft's location at the time of the choking incident. While the flight crew claimed they were over the Arctic, the family asserts that flight data indicates they were over Wisconsin, suggesting that an emergency landing could have been feasible. This conflicting information is central to the lawsuit's claims of negligence.
What's Next
The case is expected to proceed through the legal system, with the family seeking damages exceeding the statutory limits set by the Montreal Convention, which governs airline liability for onboard incidents. The outcome may set a precedent for future claims involving special meal requests and emergency medical protocols on international flights.
