Overview

• The wrongful-death suit was filed by Asoka Jayaweera’s son on July 31 in California state court and was removed to the U.S. Central District of California on October 3.
• The complaint alleges Jayaweera was denied his requested vegetarian meal, was told to “eat around” the meat in a regular meal, and began choking shortly after.
• Cabin crew sought guidance from MedAire as Jayaweera’s oxygen saturation reportedly fell to 69% and never exceeded 85% during the flight.
• The family contends the aircraft was over the U.S. Midwest and could have diverted, disputing crew statements that the jet was over the Arctic Circle and unable to land.
• The plane later landed in Edinburgh, where Jayaweera died on August 3, 2023 of aspiration pneumonia; the suit seeks negligence and wrongful-death damages beyond Montreal Convention limits, and Qatar Airways has not publicly commented.