Family Sues Qatar Airways After Dr. Asoka Jayaweera Chokes on Non-Vegetarian Flight Meal

Dr. Asoka Jayaweera, an 85-year-old Sri Lankan-born cardiologist and lifelong vegetarian, died in 2023 from aspiration pneumonia after choking on a non-vegetarian meal served on a Qatar Airways flight from Los Angeles to Colombo, despite his pre-booked vegetarian request. His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit in California federal court in July 2025, alleging negligence in meal provisioning and inadequate emergency response under the Montreal Convention, seeking over $170,000 in damages for medical costs, lost income, and emotional distress. The incident has drawn widespread attention on social media, highlighting concerns over dietary accommodations in air travel.

A tragic incident has led to a lawsuit against Qatar Airways after an 85-year-old vegetarian passenger, Dr. Asoka Jayaweera, died following a medical emergency mid-flight. Dr. Jayaweera, a California-based cardiologist, was traveling from Los Angeles to Colombo on June 23, 2023, and had specifically requested a meat-free meal for the long journey. His son, Surya Jayaweera, alleges in the lawsuit that the airline’s failure to provide this pre-ordered vegetarian meal was a direct act of negligence.

According to the complaint filed in a California state court, the airline failed to load the vegetarian meal for Dr. Jayaweera. Instead, a flight attendant reportedly gave him a standard meal containing meat and advised the elderly doctor to “eat around” the meat, a suggestion the family claims proved fatal. While attempting to avoid the meat in the provided meal, Dr. Jayaweera began choking shortly thereafter. The lawsuit does not specify the exact food item that caused him to choke.

The cabin crew immediately tried to assist the doctor and contacted MedAire, a service that provides remote medical support to airlines during in-flight emergencies. However, despite their efforts, Dr. Jayaweera’s condition worsened. The pilot was unable to make an immediate emergency landing. The plane eventually landed in Edinburgh, Scotland, where Dr. Jayaweera was rushed to a hospital. Tragically, he was pronounced dead on August 3, 2023. Medical reports later confirmed the cause of death as aspiration pneumonia, which is a lung infection caused by inhaling food or liquid.

Surya Jayaweera is now suing Qatar Airways for wrongful death and negligence. The lawsuit alleges that the airline was negligent in two ways: first, by failing to provide the pre-ordered and medically necessary vegetarian meal, and second, by allegedly mishandling the medical emergency that followed. The family is seeking $128,821 in damages, which is the minimum amount stipulated under the Montreal Convention, an international treaty that establishes strict liability for airlines in cases of death or injury on international flights.

This case brings renewed attention to how airlines manage passenger dietary restrictions, especially for older travelers. The text notes that this is not an isolated incident for the airline; in a separate event last year, British reality TV star Jack Fowler, who has a severe nut allergy, also had a near-fatal experience on a Qatar Airways flight after being served a meal containing nuts despite pre-ordering an allergy-free option. The lawsuit against Qatar Airways highlights the serious consequences of failing to adhere to passenger needs and safety protocols during international air travel.