Qantas passenger tries to claim payout over broken entertainment system

A Qantas passenger has tried to get compensation from Qantas after the in-flight entertainment failed on a flight from Sydney to Hong Kong. Photo / 123RF

An irate passenger has demanded AU$100 ($142) in compensation from Qantas because he was forced to suffer through a 10-hour flight with a broken in-flight entertainment system.

Victoria's Civil and Administrative Tribunal heard Melbourne man Zoran Ivanovic was not satisfied with the airline's offer of 3000 frequent flyer points and an apology after the in-flight entertainment system failed to work on the May 12 flight from Sydney to Hong Kong.

The tribunal heard the flight was delayed by one hour in Sydney due to "issues with the in-flight entertainment system" and passengers were allowed to board after it was fixed.
But Mr Ivanovic said his screen didn't work for the entire 10-hour flight.

His demand of $100 in compensation was based on his calculation he could have watched five movies during the flight, each with a value of about $20.

Qantas emailed Mr Ivanovic after he landed in Hong Kong to apologise for the malfunction and credited him with 3000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points, but he was not satisfied with the attempt to make amends.

"Mr Ivanovic is aggrieved by this unsolicited crediting of frequent flyer points as he does not believe it adequately compensates him for the failure of the in-flight entertainment system," tribunal member Lindsay Warren wrote.

However, the tribunal dismissed Mr Ivanovic's claim for compensation, saying it did not have power to rule on international matters and he would have to take the claim to the Supreme Court.

The tribunal also dismissed a separate claim by Mr Ivanovic of AU$2500 ($2621) in compensation from Qantas after he was issued a no-fly notice following an altercation with staff at the Qantas lounge at Singapore's Changi Airport in March last year.

Mr Ivanovic said he was "furious" after he was allocated the wrong seat on his flight from Singapore to Melbourne and wanted to speak to a duty manager.

Qantas said it refused to allow Mr Ivanovic board the flight after he became abusive towards staff. Twelve police officers were called to assist, the tribunal heard.

Tribunal member Mr Warren said he found the airline's decision not to let Mr Ivanovic fly reasonable.