KEY POINTS:
Passengers on flight NZ553 from Auckland to Christchurch late last week were told their flight would be held up because the pilot and co-pilot had not had their dinner and they would try to order takeaways to speed things up.
The crew said they were legally entitled to a meal and their in-flight dinner had gone missing.
What do you think of the standard of service on Air New Zealand flights? Here is the latest selection of Your Views:
Sergei
I fly many times before come to New Zealand with Aeroflot in my home country and I say Air New Zealand much better. On local flights the planes usually take off and land on same scheduled day, and usually at same scheduled airport.
Waterboy
In the last month I have had three domestic flights cancelled by Air NZ. Each time without warning or notice. The most frustrating thing is that the time they gave me for a new flight a week later was also cancelled following a big delay. I have just changed to Qantas. Enough is enough!
Atwade
Travel by Emirates and you'll see what real service is. Travelling last year to Australia, one way by Air New Zealand the other by Emirates, revealed quite a contrast. Emirates offered a choice of free newspapers when boarding, a superb meal including smoked salmon, and a state of the art entertainment system. Air New Zealand: no paper, a small (and insufficient) hamburger as a meal, and movies displayed on ceiling pods. It is some years since I travelled by Cathay to Hong Kong, but their service even then was impressive by Air New Zealand current standards.
Huia (Gold Coast)
In this case this would be one of the lesser complaints with Air NZ. Of course the Pilots have to eat and what is wrong with Mc Pork and Mc Puha. Better then fush and chups bro. Personally I think they are a third rate airline and anyone who thinks they are so good obviously only travels between Bugtussle and Hicksville a 30 minute flight in any direction at best. Air NZ lost its way many years ago and the GPS has been faulty ever since. They still think the travelling NZ public owe them a living and obviously there are plenty of mugs out there that agree with them. I would sooner walk.
Kiwi Matt (UK)
I had the displeasure of flying with Air NZ this year LON-LAX-APIA-AKL-HKG-LON (I travel to NZ 3x a year) and I was so embarrassed as travelling with English wife, You hear about the Kiwi attitude happy people etc but the flight crew and service was so poor, not one smile and everything was a chore, and as for their uniform, looking at the wrinkly dull grey uniform was like looking at buildings here in the UK. Wife it's sad that NZ has such great colours and people and this is what people have to put up with. In-flight entertainment system broke down on every flight and 1hr to shutdown, 1hr to rest it,1hr to start up again, and if you asked the non-smiling crew for something it was like you were interrupting them. Told ANZ about it and 3 weeks later got email saying, "Sorry to hear that". Maybe they don't realise that there are other Airlines people can take to get to NZ. Glad I'm a Travel Agent. You only get one chance to make a 1st Impression ANZ.
High Flyer
Air NZ domestic flights really are glorified bus services. However, in saying this, with regards to the pilots, I too would much rather they be content than disgruntled and make a mistake. Put yourself in their seat. I am pretty sure you would want your dinner. I am a pilot in training and I know how stressful flying a Cessna can be, let alone flying a 737 with over 100 people on board. So cut the pilots some slack aye.
Murray
I fly ANZ when I go to Brisbane. The service is ok for what it is, cardboard plates etc. Generally the crew are good, but on occasions the trolley dollies act as though they were God's gift to the human race and treat the passengers like it. Equally some passengers treat the crew like pieces of dirt, and the crew have to put up with it. So I guess it depends on the day and whatever else is going on. However, I have consistently found the approach of Quantas more amenable (I fly them to Sydney and on domestic.) I always seem to find something to compliment Quantas crews about when I disembark. Hmmmm.
Angus (Japan)
The only 'service' they offer these days is getting you from point A to point B. Flying time is pretty consistent, departure and arrival time often differ from what you are lead to believe.
G
Why is that people expect to fly like they are on the QE2? They are in the air for a domestic flight for at least 1-2 hours at the most. You don't really need a mealed served for such a short trip, just bring your own. Or if you truly don't want to fly, catch the bus, much longer.
Nzausse
Forget about the grub on Air NZ. I always fly internationally with Thai, Singapore, Emirates. Reason being shelas are gorgeous, sorry but it's true.
Neil (Auckland)
Air NZ should change its slogan to - 'Enjoy all the thrills of a budget airline, without the low, low prices!' On a flight to Fiji 3 years ago, just as it was time for the aircraft to depart Auckland Airport, passengers in the front half were asked to get out of the plane and wait in the passage (standing!) for 30 minutes while they installed a couple of extra seats as the flight had been overbooked. That, and a crappy takeaway like food in cardboard boxes which gave me stomach ache afterwards were the last straw. We swore never to fly Air NZ again and have stuck to it, even if it means paying extra for another airline.
Stanley (Torbay)
Air NZ upper management showed their disdain for personal when they forced a lower wage on Ground Services staff. Don't be surprised if they haul the captain over the coals for doing the right thing. Of course you're jammed in like cattle. That's also a management decision. It's equality. Treat staff and passengers the same. All things considered, the front line staff in the air and on the ground have done well in the past. With the large number of experienced staff taking redundancy, your future experience may indeed become something to grumble about.
LMR
Being a regular user of Air NZ International we have been impressed with both their inflight service and their understanding when medical emergencies have compromised our ability to fly when booked.
You get what you pay for
All in all Air NZ is a good airline and hey lets not forget the $1 flights advertised recently on Grab A Seat - what a deal! I recently went to Wellington from Auckland return for $100. I didn't get a cookie, but for a hundy return who really cares! And my flight to London return was comfortable and the crew were great. It's rather simple, pay more and go up a class, or get a cheap flight with little options and less space. You get what you pay for.
PD
What do I think of the service on Air NZ flights? Well, after the last two experiences I had I will never fly Air NZ again. Never!
Jan (Germany)
It is more than manipulative when you ask "What do you think of the service of Air New Zealand" in the context of NZ553 story. I would like to congratulate everyone who made a positive comment about Air New Zealand.
Radar
I have been on 2 flights with Air NZ and I must say that both times the service was bad. On one flight, I asked for a drink of water only to be told by the air steward that "she was too busy". In fact she was just walking pass. And the other time my wife and I were flying back from Europe and get this, they forgot to serve our meal. We were not the only ones because the people behind us never got served. We had to ask 3 times for our meal. After this we have never flown with Air NZ. Even with domestic flights we fly Qantas. Thank God for Singapore Airlines. the best service ever. Yes, I am a NZer.
Ms Auckland
Always been happy with Air NZ's in-flight service and fortunately haven't experienced anything as preposterously stupid as the two pilots who postponed the departure till they'd filled up their empty 'pouches'. They should, of course, get the sack, enabling them to munch on their stinking fish 'n' chips in peace. However, I have often been shocked by the rude behaviour of Air NZ's ticket sales offices in both Auckland and Wellington. They often behave like Air NZ is the only airline serving New Zealand and the world. That really stinks.
Nick 151
The best Air New Zealand flight I ever had was to Japan - and the flight was actually crewed by Japanese.Air New Zealand domestic is an entirely different airline. They are crewed by bored cabin staff embarrassed at the "food" offerings they are forced to serve and the silly safety panto they have to perform.
Bruce
What service?
Richard (Auckland)
Dear Kate,The seats were only closer at the rear of the aircraft so I suspect unless you were sitting there you were imagining things to suit the public drama of the seat pitch changes - and FYI - Air NZ are reverting back to the standard seating pitch on those aircraft that actually were changed (some were not yet) due to an additional aircraft due to come into service shortly. Sometimes I wonder if people made up the story about seat pitch changes people would suddenly find the seats uncomfortable.
kylie
I say "get over it" Air NZ offer a great service. I would rather have a pilot with a full stomach than one who cant concentrate and then something goes wrong. I have flown with Air NZ plenty of times and have had no problems. People think that they are the only airline that has delays, that is not true, every airline does. So for those of you who moan and groan about our national airline go and find another airline. I bet you will find you will have the same problems!
Lovetofly
I think NZ domestic service is terrible, well actually I have had much worse, Ryan Air, Easy Jet and other Low Fare Carriers. Air NZ have gone the budget route for domestic services and stripped everything away (I really miss the biscuit bring it back!) except for the lolly and occasionally a tea/coffee/water which is free compared to the other carriers I have mentioned.Their seating is cramped, and NZ people are on average amongst the tallest in the world even before they decided to add the extra row. Wonton ANZ put the extra row of seats in some of the 737 before they backed down, I know I have flown in some and shudder when I see the new seat covers.ANZ offered a TV program for Inflight Entertainment, but you needed your own earphones or could buy them for $2 but in no flight did I ever see for sale, but I carry my own anyway.Wishbone food has now been discontinued, not enough people buying it and too difficult to managed we are told. Instead we will buy bakery goods....Now what competition do we have domestically? Qantas, well they offer free headphones to watch assorted television programs, a free snack that changes according to the day, frequent flyer points for all fares not just ridiculously expensive ones. Their problem not enough planes so they cannot fly that often or to many places, and when they are delayed, well they are very delayed....
So NZ has more destinations and services and are more reliable, the pilots did the right thing, over the only competition.However their biggest benefit, the Koru Clubs, decent food and well stocked drinks, 23 different beers for free is hard to beat(Qantas Clubs have 7-9 different beers)
Lindz (Auckland)
People need to lighten up. Domestic flights are hardly long, and people are complaining because the seats are too crampt and they don't get any inflight food. I've sat longer on a bus heading into town and I don't complain that the seats don't recline or we don't get any food. Good on the pilots for delaying the flight so they could eat.
Alise
Excellent! An employee of a large organisation being clear about employment rights and personal safety issues. It's well-documented that food fuels the mind and body. No matter how much mirth we may find in this situation, the fundamental safety issue has not been missed.
NG
Comming from overseas and have done extensive travel in most parts of the world by a air, I have to say Air NZ is one of the best I have ever tried. People complains about poor service - try another company and your realise that you have been spoiled in the past.The worst and least relevant news I have ever read, was the story about All Blacks missing the cookies on Air NZ domestic flights.Who cares!
Lisa
To the person who told people to upgrade to business class - when was the last time you travelled on an Air NZ domestic flight? Business class has not been available for several years now.
DC
Air NZ typically give great service both domestically and internationally. I certainly support them following air safety standards when called for.I flew not so long ago and the head cabin attendant gave a warm welcome in Maori. It gave the flight a true sense of Kiwi-ness (and the tourists on the flight really loved it) and I'd encourage Air NZ to do it on all their flights.
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