Air New Zealand Boeing 787 Diverts To Tonga To Drop Off An Engineer

[@igorGriffiths]

As long as the passengers were aware of the route before hand then I do not see any issue,

[@EricBishard]

There's no reason to let them know any earlier than when they board the plane. Always expect delays when you board an aircraft. Anything can happen. Especially in a case like this where there is minimal impact, no disembarking, they should tell you before the flight takes off but they are not required to tell you before boarding of the my final destination is the same.

[@tiernankeane5643]

Speaking as a kiwi we’re usually pretty relaxed about this sort of stuff. As long as the passengers were made aware of the diversion well before the flight took off I see no issue - if this was a decision made within a few hours before the 787’s departure then the passengers likely deserved at least some degree of compensation for the delay. Still, nothing could be worse than the Jetstar fumble last month going from Melbourne to Bali, textbook example of how not to handle a diversion ahaha

[@jnqt55]

this is how I read the title at a glance: Air New Zealand Boeing 787 Dropped An Engine mid-air and Diverted To Tonga

[@Lily-D1215]

the only thing i‘m wondering about is.. if ANZ operates 10 weekly flights to tonga, why not put the engineer and the parts on a flight to tonga instead?

[@wadehiggins1114]

They have no brain!

[@eamonahern7495]

Good question

[@theundeniedhugo]

Air New Zealand had already flown the flight for that day. And they really needed to fix the plane

[@tylorhoughtaling1214]

@@eamonahern7495 Did you say that in Shrek’s voice? I read it that way. Lol!

[@markevans2294]

@@theundeniedhugo Their only other option would be to ferry a spare aircraft to operate as NZ977. Rather than fix the one already at TBU. Possibly they didn't have a spare aircraft at AKL. In any case they'd have needed to also perform a ferry flight from TBU.

[@ReyLaFleur]

Knowing this route and the rowdies that take this route; as long as they offered a free drink service there would be no issues from the passengers hahaha

[@sundragon7703]

If the detour adds miles to a passenger's frequent flyer account, it's a plus. Also, the island way is not to get stressed out on minor inconveniences.

[@cameronmd80]

Forgive me as I'm not that familiar with accruing miles, But I thought the miles you get from flights were based on a defined amount based on the ticket you originally booked.

[@g2eneko]

@@cameronmd80 yeah the detour won’t add miles

[@TheAristocrat.]

I think that was fine, it was really important they got the other aircraft operating so it could generate a profit and actually be used! especially since demand was so high during the holiday period. every single plane was needed.

[@Westsideaviation23]

I like how the the island folks just chill 😎 about the whole thing

[@cabottaxi]

Well done ANZ. Thinking out of the box. Aircraft that are not flying are not earning their keep. Get it fixed and get it back in service. The passengers that are complaining would have something to complain about if ANZ didn't have an aircraft to do their return flight.

[@perrytheplatypus8802]

The drinks are free on these AirNZ flights and the vast bulk of people on this route are going to chill out on a relaxing break "island time" anyway so I doubt anyone on board cared. Last time I took this flight a year or so ago the whether turned and we had to make three attempts to put the 787 on the ground. But it all worked out fine in the end

[@nzsaltflatsracer8054]

An entitled person will be thinking somebody owes them something for their inconvenience while the rest of us are thinking "no worries mate!"😎

[@ronriesinger7755]

Not much of an inconvenience.

[@philomenamcguire3059]

One-off the nicest liveries in the sky...

[@islandboy9137]

Interesting going back in time with the International Dateline

[@vondahe]

You know you're important when your employer comandeers a flight in service to drop you off to work.

[@gerrya3610]

The airline did the right thing. Why is passenger compensation always mentioned in these cases?

[@davelee9087]

Because greed has become an international pastime! "Delay me one minute and I need money!"

[@TheGweilo701]

Would it be worth it for an airline to have a small plane to handle things like this or is it just to rare of an occurrence?

[@rodolfoptx]

Here in Brazil, Azul has a fleet of jets from Airbus and Embraer, but also three Cessna Caravan in cargo configuration, to ferry tools and maintenance cheaply.

[@herewinibroughton1832]

this happens alot more often than you would expect especially for rural and remote ports when engineers cannot be sourced locally.They will usually fly from the nearest regional port. as engineers are essential to getting a plane in the air when ground crew find discrepencies when doing final checks before take off. safety before schedule.

[@brad9529]

Yes, but diverting an entire flight of people to drop someone off like a bus service? If you or I wanted to do that we'd be charged hundreds of thousands, they do it and it costs them nothing, free transport of staff paid for by the customers of the plane. They save what $20,000 chartering a flight. The passengers of that flight paid for it

[@raxxmoriti]

this happens so often in the maritime industry🤣

[@TimTVOfficial]

I'd be upset about that, just kidding. I'd rather have another aircraft operate as safely as mine while costing less to the consumer and burn less fuel. But they will have to offer me a couple free drinks for the delay, and some Reeses, M&Ms, and Snickers.

[@dougharris7665]

If this is all a few have to complain about..........? It is a non story about a slight diversion that a few free drinks could compensate for. ANZ is a great airline.

[@Nikker468]

Is this that unusual? In my airline we divert to drop employees at least once a week. We even call it Uber flights between ourselves

[@eamonahern7495]

Yeah but as another logical comment put it: if there are 10 flights a week to Tonga why didn't they put the engineer on one of those instead?

[@chrismckellar9350]

@@eamonahern7495 - It is not economical to have a B787 certified engineer and spares based in Tonga, as Air NZ is the only airline that flies the occasional B787 to Tonga mainly during Christmas and school holidays periods.

[@merlitocapito5153]

@@eamonahern7495 flights going to tonga nz 970/974 usually flies in the mornings and afternoon just 1 turning aircrafts, might be a big reason why they have to drop off an engineer so this aircraft can fly back to auckland

[@davelee9087]

@@eamonahern7495 Not knowing what had to be transported, besides the engineer, it is very possible that the 10 flights do not have the physical capacity to move the required equipment or parts.

[@ronaldcuieii8639]

I would have enjoyed it. More flying time.

[@tomaskonkol8894]

They did ti a best as they can. Ecologically, Economically and minimal disruption for passengers. 👍

[@ElAye]

Sooo, it was a ruse to began with.🤔 The engineer AND the parts were already on board. I guess he originally had a connecting flight, then the suits decided while he while he was midair to just have him and the parts dropped off directly. Mmkay.

[@eskendergetachew3764]

Hi what's logo

[@oemplusr20]

Not a big issue, if it was communicated to the pax before flight!

[@jamiesworld1690]

To drop off people like a taxi to drop off people is rhR common abd how u go about requesting airlines to drop u off in a local airport

[@jamiesworld1690]

Can airlines drop off passengers on request

[@vernonsmithee792]

"Needs must when the Devil drives the Barrel Organ,"

[@heidirabenau511]

That's unusual!

[@chrismckellar9350]

Why is it unusual?

[@kentd4762]

Not a big deal...

[@propsboy]

And the issue is?

[@Tampa0123456789]

STOP DEFENDING Air New Zealand. It's a billion dollar Company. Let them figure it out separately. Isn't your time valuable too? If you missed your flight do they turnaround and get you.

[@brad9529]

Very arrogant to inconvenience (i guess) 200 people with 2hrs of their lives just so you can save money. They should be reimbursed money for their time $200 should be sufficient.

[@ljpr360]

If I were on the flight I would have wanted free meals while waiting at least. That's a minimum compensation at best.

[@chrismckellar9350]

The stopover was only 40 minutes and passengers stayed on the aircraft given drinks and snacks during the stopover.

[@spelldaddy5386]

I see a lot of people saying that this wasn't a big deal, but I know I would be pissed for one. What if I had a connection to make? What if I had plans on arrival that were now cancelled? What if I only had food for the shorter flight, but not for the longer delay (and couldn't eat airline food)?

[@davelee9087]

And what would your reaction be if there was an onboard medical emergency that caused a diversion? That type of diversion can delay the ultimate destination arrival by MANY hours. I'm sure you would be very upset, but not if it was due to your spouse or child being the medical emergency.

[@kingsleydawes7244]

No one connects in Raro!!

[@Tampa0123456789]

@ Spelldady I agree 100 percent. Even tho it was a Holiday Vacation type of flight this is a billion dollar Company. They could of chartered a business jet or have one on stand by. What if people had special plans? When you scheduled the flight you planned your routine accordingly. Weather or medical emergencies are different. This was THEIR problem.

[@davidwebb4904]

Could they not have rented a private jet?

[@heidirabenau511]

*Money*

[@davidwebb4904]

@@heidirabenau511 787 fuel burn, additional landing fees, compensation to passengers....

[@RuhjedVentula]

bigger parts probably wont fit on a private jet

[@Nikker468]

@@davidwebb4904 Compensation for what? Unlikely that flight was delayed more than 1 hour and compensation start at 3h minimum.

[@markevans2294]

It's likely easier, quicker and cheaper to alter the flight plan of one of their own aircraft than hiring another aircraft along with crew and filing at least two additional flight plans.

[@wadehiggins1114]

Let me guess, they went to fix a boeing jet 🤣😂

[@nickolliver3021]

Why would they need to fix their boeing jet?

[@wadehiggins1114]

@nickolliver3021 you know, and I know! beoing, apple and ford to name a few are all trash!!

[@nickolliver3021]

@@wadehiggins1114 and airbus are trash! Every company is trash that's your world

[@chrismckellar9350]

It was B787-9 that required fixing in Tonga. The engineer was a certified for B787's hence the diversion, as the local engineer was not B787 certified.

[@stankythecat6735]

I would be super annoyed .

[@schalitz1]

Why? You're going to paradise and you get to stop over in another paradise that is rarely visited. I'd be thrilled!

[@stankythecat6735]

@@schalitz1 you can’t get off the flight , also eats into my time on the other end. My time is valuable, Air New Zealand can do it’s business on its own time .

[@schalitz1]

@@stankythecat6735 We just have a different philosophy. I don't care I can't off. I'll order a drink and just be happy to see a new place.

[@andrewmason1401]

You'd be even more annoyed if you were due to fly on the broken down plane but couldn't because somebody got annoyed another flight was diverted to fix it so the divert didn't happen.

[@andrewmason1401]

You'd be even more annoyed if you were due to fly on the broken down plane but couldn't because somebody got annoyed another flight was diverted to fix it so the divert didn't happen.

[@Disco_r1]

Not cool.

[@somethingaboutyou-r3i]

Business as usual 😊