Qatar Airways has released a formal apology to an Australian couple after the body of a passenger who died mid-flight was placed in the seat next to them on a flight from Melbourne to Doha, Qatar.

The couple, Jennifer Colin and Mitchell Ring were en route to Venice when a female passenger collapsed and passed away while returning from the bathroom.

The couple claims that Qatar Airways flight attendants covered the body in blankets and placed them in an open seat next to Ring, despite there being other open seats.

The attendants did not offer to move Ring to a different seat.

Qatar Airways, which is owned by the Qatari Government, responded to the incident, stating, “We apologize for any inconvenience or distress this incident may have caused, and are in the process of contacting passengers in line with our policies and procedures.”

It is currently unclear whether or not legal action will be taken against the airline.