Vegetarian Passenger Dies Mid-Flight After Being Told to “Eat Around” Meat

Family files a wrongful-death suit; complaint cites the Montreal Convention and records of in-flight medical support via MedAire.

Los Angeles (LAX) Edinburgh (EDI) Colombo (CMB) Flight: Jun 30, 2023 Death recorded: Aug 3, 2023 Filed: Jul 31 (complaint)

Dr. Asoka Jayaweera (85) pre-ordered a vegetarian meal for a ~15.5-hour Qatar Airways flight from Los Angeles to Colombo. A flight attendant said no vegetarian meals were available and advised him to “eat around” a meat dish. He began choking and lost consciousness. Cabin crew acted and contacted MedAire. The aircraft later landed in Edinburgh; he was pronounced dead on August 3, 2023 with aspiration pneumonia recorded. A wrongful-death lawsuit was filed by his son referencing the Montreal Convention, with damages sought at $128,821. Source post: The Independent (X).

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Feature image is kept close to the title for context and continuity.

Subheading

Complaint references a strict vegetarian request, in-flight choking, MedAire contact, diversion to Edinburgh, and liability under the Montreal Convention.

Age

15.5 h

Planned Flight

69%

SpO₂ noted in complaint

$128,821

Damages Sought (Min.)

Timeline

Jun 23, 2023

Ticket booked to Colombo; vegetarian meal request noted.

Jun 30, 2023

Boarded at Los Angeles; told vegetarian meals unavailable; advised to “eat around” meat; choking reported; MedAire consulted.

En-route

Complaint records oxygen saturation as low as 69% and prolonged unconsciousness.

Landing

Aircraft landed in Edinburgh; patient transported to hospital.

Aug 3, 2023

Death recorded; cause listed as aspiration pneumonia.

Jul 31 (Filed)

Wrongful-death lawsuit filed; Montreal Convention referenced.

The dates above mirror details in the complaint and subsequent filings.

Route Snapshot

Pins show origin (Los Angeles), diversion (Edinburgh), and planned destination (Colombo). Polyline is illustrative for reader orientation.

Quick Check

Which treaty governs airline liability for death or injury on international flights?

This section includes the reported sequence, route context, key figures, and links to the convention text and related coverage. The report, complaint references, and timeline details have been summarized for clarity without additional interpretation.