AirNZ refunds all passengers after "terrifying turbulence"

[vandy]

Saw this in the news today and thought it was quite unusual to refund all passengers for strong turbulence - is there more to this story?

NZ5715 from Christchurch to Invercargill on Wednesday was reportedly slammed with 180km/h crosswinds, resulting in strong turbulence.



Air New Zealand refunds entire plane of passengers after terrifying turbulence

 

[Mattg]

This must have been a very rough flight!

I think the refund is more a gesture of goodwill than anything else, and credit to Air New Zealand as they sure can't control the weather. But if it was that bad, I feel sorry for the passengers.

I can't think of any flight that's been so rough (because of the weather, that is - seat pitch and other passengers are a different story) that I've considered asking for a refund. And I hope it stays that way!

 

[Lendav Orav]

This must have been a very rough flight!

I think the refund is more a gesture of goodwill than anything else, and credit to Air New Zealand as they sure can't control the weather. But if it was that bad, I feel sorry for the passengers.

I can't think of any flight that's been so rough (because of the weather, that is - seat pitch and other passengers are a different story) that I've considered asking for a refund. And I hope it stays that way!

If it was that rough (and they knew about it), they shouldn't have been flying, hence the refund!

 

[oz_mark]

If it was that rough (and they knew about it), they shouldn't have been flying, hence the refund!

Maybe they expected rough, but not that rough. Anyway, if they didn't go, people would have complained about that.

 

[pauly7]

Interesting precedent they have just set themselves... wonder what metrics they are using to define rough turbulence and what constitutes a refund moving forward (and what does not!).

Ah Air NZ.... more interested in their PR than their business I feel sometimes! Meanwhile their FF programme is crying out for a complete delete and reset... but priorities right...

 

[Pushka]

Agree that in hindsight it seems they made a bad call and know it. It sounded terrifying.

Maybe they expected rough, but not that rough. Anyway, if they didn't go, people would have complained about that.

Internal NZ flights are often cancelled. It’s a known risk there. MrP had a flight last year where they flew three times (3 different boards, 3 returns) in one day and never made it to destination. Then ended up taking the passengers in a long bus trip.

 

[bobbyjo]

The delays and cancelations on Air NZ normally get you during the winter months, fog is a biggy for internal flights, but unless you are flying in or out of Wellington (notorious for cross winds) it’s rare at this time of year, they had some horrendous weather in the South last week, really high winds etc. but I would guess someone said “what were you thinking, flying into that weather” No it’s not normal or common to be given a refund, so I wouldn’t expect one in the future.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Very unusual. I've had many rough flights in NZ (mostly but not only WLG) and many flights cancelled due to high winds (or high cross winds). Never been any suggestion of a refund for flights actually taken (even if significantly later than planned).

 

[bobbyjo]

Very unusual. I've had many rough flights in NZ (mostly but not only WLG) and many flights cancelled due to high winds (or high cross winds). Never been any suggestion of a refund for flights actually taken (even if significantly later than planned).

Sure is a gusty place we live in, last year when I returned from the UK, my internal flight was postponed, (fog) cancelled, so put on next flight which was postponed then cancelled finally made it onto the last flight, having retrieved & rechecked my luggage twice, so I rarely use the domestic to link to international now, drive to AKL & park instead.

 

[Warks]

The only airport I've seen with a special desk for cancelled/delayed flights (not sure exactly what it's called) is Wellington. Had to use it last year when flying WLG to New Plymouth. They helpfully booked us accommodation nearby and put us on a flight at midday the next day. Which didn't help us as we had to be in NP in the morning for a meeting. Every bus, train and rental car was booked. Ended up Ubering for about $600 in the pouring rain with a very erratic driver who'd not been beyond the outskirts of Wellington in his time. I think the flight might have been less risky even given the extreme conditions.

 

[Major]

Good to see they have introduced their Dreamliner on the CHC-IVC flights

I'm not sure if they provided refunds or credits for this flight. I had a flight cancelled a couple of years ago NPL-AKL due to high winds. They offered a credit but I told them it was of no use as I was not sure when I would be flying to NZ again.
I insisted on a refund but they would not budge from the offered credit.
We never used the credit. In hindsight I should have tried for a chargeback.
We needed to connect with an EK flight so MiL ended up driving us to AKL