Significant turbulence on a flight to Dunedin left a passenger afraid for her life and frightened to fly again.
"It honestly was so scary.
"I’m too scared to go on a plane now after that experience."
The turbulence on a Jetstar flight from Auckland to Dunedin caused the plane to return to Auckland on Saturday afternoon.
A passenger aboard the flight, who asked to remain anonymous, said she was shocked by the experience.
"We were all getting thrown around quite badly.
"[I] think everyone was pretty scared for their life."
A Jetstar spokeswoman said the captain of the plane reported "strong wind fluctuations" before deciding to return to Auckland as a precaution.
"No injuries were reported.
"However, we appreciate this would have been unsettling for customers on board."
Although Jetstar did not report any injuries, the passenger said one flight attendant was hurt during the turbulence and one elderly person got a sore neck from the whiplash.
She said another passenger’s belongings "went flying".
"People were grabbing on to each other for support, parents were holding their kids for life.
"You see this on TV or the movies, you don’t expect this would happen to you."
One flight attendant told the passenger they had never experienced turbulence like that in five years of flying, she said.
"I remember getting off the plane and everyone was hugging each other, and a lot of tears."
Aircraft were built to withstand adverse weather and turbulence, the Jetstar spokeswoman said.
"Our pilots and crew are highly trained to manage these situations."
Jetstar scheduled an alternative flight for yesterday and provided passengers with overnight hotel accommodation.
"We sincerely thank everyone for their flexibility while we worked to get them on their way again as quickly as possible."
