cnn.com
Airline Places Deceased Passenger Next to Live Passenger for Four Hours
On a Qatar Airways flight from Melbourne to Doha, a female passenger died mid-flight; the crew placed her body next to another passenger, Mitchell Ring, for four hours, causing distress, prompting criticism of the airline's handling of the situation and lack of immediate support.
- What protocols or procedures, if any, should airlines implement to improve the handling of passenger deaths during flights?
- The incident highlights a lack of established protocol by Qatar Airways for handling in-flight deaths, leading to a traumatic experience for Mr. Ring and Ms. Colin. The airline's failure to provide immediate support or follow-up demonstrates inadequate passenger care, especially considering the traumatic nature of the situation.
- What are the longer-term implications of this incident for passenger expectations of airline responsibility and support in similar situations?
- This event underscores the need for airlines to develop and implement clear protocols for managing passenger deaths during flights. Future improvements should include passenger relocation procedures to minimize distress for other passengers, and immediate post-incident support and communication from airlines. This case could influence future regulations related to in-flight passenger care.
- What immediate actions did Qatar Airways take following the in-flight death, and what were the direct consequences for the passengers involved?
- During a Qatar Airways flight from Melbourne to Doha, a female passenger died. After unsuccessful resuscitation attempts, the crew placed the body in a seat next to Mitchell Ring and his partner, Jennifer Colin, for the remaining four hours of the flight, despite available empty seats. This caused significant distress to the couple.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the story from the perspective of the distressed couple. While their experience is undoubtedly traumatic, this framing could lead to a biased perception of the airline's actions. The headline itself is emotionally charged and focuses on the shocking nature of the situation, emphasizing the couple's experience rather than presenting a neutral account of events.
Language Bias
The article uses emotionally charged language throughout, such as "pretty heartbreaking to watch," "really shocked," and "traumatic." This language influences the reader's emotional response, potentially creating a negative bias against the airline. More neutral alternatives could include "sad," "surprised," and "distressing.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the emotional distress of the passengers, but omits any discussion of the potential medical reasons for the passenger's death, or the medical procedures undertaken by the crew. It also doesn't explore Qatar Airways' internal procedures for handling such situations or whether this incident was a breach of standard protocol. While the article notes that CNN reached out for comment, the lack of any response from Qatar Airways leaves the reader without the airline's perspective.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy between the airline being responsible for the passenger's death and the airline having a duty of care to its passengers. These are not mutually exclusive. The airline can have a duty of care even if they're not responsible for the cause of death.
Gender Bias
The article uses gendered language - referring to the deceased woman as "the lady" repeatedly. While not overtly biased, the use of this term alongside the couple's emotional accounts might subtly reinforce gendered expectations of emotional responses.
Sustainable Development Goals
The incident caused significant emotional distress to the passengers involved, highlighting the need for better protocols in handling passenger deaths on flights. The lack of immediate support and the distressing experience negatively impact mental well-being.