Airline issues statement after couple reveal they were 'forced' to sit next to dead passenger on long haul-flight

The airline which is said to have placed a dead body in a seat next to a couple on a long-haul flight has spoken out about the incident.

Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin were embarking on what was meant to be a dream vacation which quickly turned into a nightmare when they were 'forced' to endure their flight while seated by a dead body.

The couple, who were reportedly nervous about flying, had departed from their hometown, Melbourne, Australia, on a 20-hour trip with their sights set on Venice, Italy, when another passenger on the Qatar Airways flight suddenly died in the aisle.

Ring and Colin told Australian TV outlet 9Now how cabin crew attempted to revive the woman but she 'couldn't be saved', making for a 'heartbreaking' watch.

However, her body was then placed on the same row as the couple, despite there being other empty seats, Ring claimed.

Colin said: "I was really shocked," before calling the ordeal 'traumatic.'

“We totally understand that we can’t hold the airline responsible for the poor lady’s death, but there has to be a protocol then to look after the customers that are on board,” she said.

The airline has addressed the incident (Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Now, a spokesperson for Qatar Airways has issued a statement about the incident.

In an email to CNN, the airline said its 'thoughts are with the family members of the passenger who sadly passed away on-board a recent Qatar Airways flight from Melbourne, Australia.'

The statement continues: "We have been in contact with the family of the passenger who passed away to express our condolences on their loss. We have also directly spoken with the affected passengers to address their concerns.

“The safety and comfort of all our passengers is of paramount importance to us."

For the last four hours of their journey, the 'traumatized' couple sat next to the body, right up until they landed in Doha, Qatar, though Colin was able to move to another empty seat across the aisle.

Mitchell Ring said he sat next to the passenger who had died on the flight (YouTube/A Current Affair)

Ring also said the couple were told to stay seated when the jet landed to allow paramedics to recover the body.

“I can’t believe they told us to stay... it wasn't nice,” he said, as he witnessed medics pull away the blanket that had been covering the deceased flyer.

The couple said they weren't initially contacted by the airline and had expected the company to offer counselling.

Qantas Airways, where the travellers purchased their tickets, told CNN it was in touch with the pair and has followed up with Qatar Airways.

It added in a statement: "The process for handling incidents onboard an aircraft like this is managed by the operating airline, which in this case is Qatar Airways."

As for the duo, Ring said they are still trying to process the traumatic event.

"I don't really know how I feel and would like to speak to somebody to make sure I'm alright," he added.

UNILAD has contacted Qatar Airways for further comment.

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