2024 was a year marked by a number of stories involving planes — from engine problems to turbulence events that caused some aircraft to “drop” mid-flight.
So ensure your seatbelt is fastened and your tray table stowed as we take a journey back through some of the bumpier moments to grace our skies this year.
Turbulence-related trips
One of the most shocking plane stories of the year happened on board Singapore Airlines Flight 321 in May, which dropped 54 metres due to severe turbulence. One person died of a suspected heart attack.
One passenger said anyone not wearing a seatbelt “launched into the ceiling”. (Source: 1News)
A Nelson-based couple described their terror during the incident on the flight from London to Singapore, and another Kiwi passenger told 1News he required 31 stitches after being thrown from his seat.
In April, a passenger on board Air New Zealand flight NZ65 from Bali to Auckland required surgery after they broke their leg during turbulence.
The passenger was reportedly returning to his seat from the toilet when the plane “dropped”.
In June, a passenger and crew member were injured after an Air New Zealand flight from Wellington to Queenstown hit turbulence.
A passenger on board said that a flight attendant had called it “the worst … turbulence in her career”, adding that it “wasn’t super long but intense”.
Overseas, a flight destined for Uruguay from Madrid was diverted after severe turbulence left 30 people with minor injuries in July.
According to a 2024 study, severe clear-air turbulence has increased markedly in the past 40 years, with aircraft encountering moderate to “severe-or-greater” turbulence 68,000 times every year.
LATAM flight plunge
In a similarly terrifying incident in March, a LATAM flight from Sydney to Auckland plunged following a “technical error” which flung people from their seats.
The 400-foot drop left approximately 50 people injured, including crew, with 10 people taken to hospital. One passenger told 1News they “didn’t know if we were going to make it or not – it was terrifying”.
Passengers awaiting an onward flight to Santiago have told 1News they are nervous about getting on board a new flight following yesterday’s incident, which injured dozens. (Source: 1News)
“It was a horror movie scene. I saw people fly to the roof, and then going down to the floor,” they said.
A preliminary investigation into the incident reportedly found the captain’s seat on the left side of the cockpit “began an involuntary forward movement” with the captain in his position.
Busy routes
According to OAG’s global airline schedules data, the busiest international airline route in 2024 was Hong Kong to Taipei with 6.8 million seats.
Second was Cairo to Jeddah, followed by Seoul Incheon to Tokyo Narita. The busiest domestic route was Jeju to Seoul Gimpo in South Korea.
Bird strike
Turbulence and technical errors weren’t the only things causing issues on planes, as passengers shared dramatic video footage of the moment flames shot from one of the engines on a Virgin Australia flight, which saw the plane diverted to Invercargill after a suspected bird strike.
Michael Hayward captured video of the suspected bird strike on board the Virgin Australia flight yesterday. Source: Drawyah / Michael Hayward (Source: Supplied)
Another bird-strike issue occurred in June, when Auckland-bound Qantas flight QF141 had to turn back to Sydney Airport.
Passenger James Hita told 1News a “massive jolt” could be felt when the strike occurred, followed by “a really bad smell through the plane, like rotting meat”.
Flames burst out of a Boeing 737’s engine as it took off from Queenstown last night. (Source: 1News)
Other issues
In September a turboprop plane was evacuated on Wellington Airport’s runway after smoke could be seen pouring from one of its engines upon landing.
The incident occurred as the plane landed just after 4pm (Source: 1News)
In July a Qantas flight to Brisbane was forced to turn back to Auckland after an “engine-related issue”.
Even the Prime Minister’s plane was not immune to problems, as Christopher Luxon had to hitch a ride on a commercial flight to Tokyo in June after the Defence Force plane blew two fuses while refuelling in Papua New Guinea — the second time he had to do so since taking office last year.
Meanwhile, a Jetstar passenger plane which suffered a “steering issue” after it landed at Christchurch Airport “veered off the runway at low speed”. No passengers or crew were injured, and the aircraft was towed to the gate where all could safely disembark.
People who were on the plane at the time told 1News all about it here.
1News Political Editor Maiki Sherman said New Zealand’s “old, rickety planes” are making the country look bad on the world stage. (Source: 1News)
Bad behaviour and biohazards
There were also many tales of woe from the cabin that captured attention this year.
In October, a Perth to Auckland flight had to be diverted to Melbourne so an allegedly drunk and disruptive 23-year-old passenger could be removed.
Crew on board the flight alleged the man refused to comply with requests – and allegedly assaulted a crew member, causing them a “slight injury”.
Another incident in May involved a passenger on Virgin flight VA696 between Perth and Melbourne being arrested after allegedly running up and down the aisle naked mid-flight.
Australian Federal Police said the passenger knocked a crew member to the floor during the incident.
In July a domestic US flight had to be diverted after a passenger fell ill and caused what the crew described as a “biohazard” that was so bad it caused some crew and passengers to throw up.
People aboard a Delta flight from Amsterdam to Michigan experienced something out of a movie when maggots rained down on them from an overhead bin in February.
The flight captured international attention after a passenger’s suitcase in the overhead bin containing rotting fish opened up, and required the plane to be turned around to undergo a deep cleaning.
In August, a Jetstar passenger had to be detained after opening the emergency exit when flight JQ507 flight from Sydney to Melbourne landed.
“We can confirm that a passenger opened the emergency exit door after arrival into Melbourne, which automatically deployed the slide,” an airline spokesperson said.
Boeing’s ongoing strife
In January, Alaska Airlines grounded all its Boeing 737-9 aircraft hours after a window and piece of fuselage on a plane blew out in midair, forcing an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon. No one was seriously hurt.
One of the world’s biggest aeroplane manufacturers faces new scrutiny about the safety of its best-selling plane. (Source: 1News)
Boeing – the American aerospace giant based in Arlington, Virginia – has been in financial and regulatory trouble following a number of issues in recent years. It posted massive losses after being involved in multiple investigations into safety culture and manufacturing quality, as well as navigating layoffs and strikes.
The company has been buffeted by one problem after another this year, including pleading guilty to a federal fraud charge in connection with its 737 Max jetliner and two crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019.
NZ challenges
In a challenging year for the national carrier, Air New Zealand has dealt with ongoing engine maintenance issues, a backlash over prices, cuts to some regional routes, reductions of other routes and falling profits.
In August, the airline reported earnings before tax this year of $222 million, compared to $574 million for the same period last year. Net profit after tax was $146 million, compared with $412 million the year before — a 65% drop. Operating revenue grew.
Chief executive Greg Foran said the result was “as expected”, with a reduction on the prior year, when the airline recorded one of its highest ever results following the reopening of New Zealand’s border.
National carrier recorded a net profit after tax of $146 million, compared with $412 million the year before. (Source: 1News)
Air Chathams took aim at Auckland Airport over what it alleged to be “skyrocketing” prices in February, saying “the increases we’ve already seen in this price period are extremely challenging”.
“We’re very concerned about the effect of even higher prices on the future viability of our family business,” said Air Chathams’ chief operating officer Duane Emeny.
Auckland Airport hit back, rejecting the suggestion their changes will make travel unaffordable and arguing the carrier is opposing the investment to protect its margins.
Australian low-cost airline Jetstar also faced some issues this year, including the Commerce Commission filing charges against the company under the Fair Trading Act. It alleged that the airline was misleading customers about their rights to compensation for delayed or cancelled flights for reasons within the airline’s control.
The Commission said it believed the airline’s communications likely discouraged consumers from seeking compensation they are entitled to under aviation law. It also accused Jetstar of likely denying legitimate claims.The airline has apologised and said it was cooperating with the Commission.
Jetstar was also accused in Australia of wrongly denying refunds for cancelled Covid flights in a class action lawsuit lodged in August.
In May, the company launched a tool to offer compensation to some customers who have been impacted by flight disruptions, after acknowledging the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic which “impacted its ability to provide the high standard of customer service in New Zealand” that it held itself to.
But hey — it’s not all doom and gloom. Steven Adams is appearing in the newest Air NZ safety video. And for the first time in its 20-year history, the Jetstar announced it would upgrade its uniforms for staff – so we can all look forward to some bright new orange on the horizon as we fly into 2025.