Anxiety in the skies: Jetstar flight's unexpected turbulence terrifies passengers
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Air travel offers the exhilarating experience of soaring above the clouds, providing breathtaking views and the convenience of reaching distant destinations in record time.
The sense of adventure and the anticipation of exploring new places make it a thrilling mode of transportation.
However, for some, the thrill can give way to anxiety, as the very same aspects that make it enjoyable can also be intimidating.
Turbulence, unfamiliar sounds, and being suspended thousands of feet above the ground can trigger fear, even in the most seasoned travellers.
Just recently, this unfortunate reality hit home for passengers on a Jetstar flight from Auckland to Queenstown. As they soared over New Zealand's South Island, wind gusts reaching speeds of up to 150km/h created ‘wild’ turbulence.
The situation became so dire that the plane had to make an emergency U-turn, leading to passengers screaming and some even vomiting in sheer terror.
Dylan Steele—an 18-year-old who was travelling with his family at the 8:30 a.m. Sunday flight—recalled the horrifying moment to a news source.
'Everyone was just screaming and throwing up on the flight,' Dylan said.
'I was next to the window, so I saw the wing flapping like a b****y feather.'
Dylan likened the journey to a 'rollercoaster' and, at one point, feared that his life could be over.
'It was just wild, I have never experienced turbulence that bad in my life. It felt like a rollercoaster ride,' he said. 'All I could hear was the sounds of people being sick, and that was with headphones on. Everyone was just pretty shaken up and shocked.'
The turbulence was so severe that 18-year-old passenger Dylan even said goodbyes to his loved ones in case the worst was to happen.
Thankfully, the pilot managed to get the plane to safety, and the flight was aborted.
Jetstar apologised to affected passengers, forcing other flights to remain grounded due to the strong winds.
An airline spokesperson said: 'Aircraft are designed to withstand turbulence far more severe than is ever encountered, and pilots and crew are well practised and trained to manage turbulence.
'We sincerely apologise to customers for the disruption to their travel plans due to strong winds affecting Queenstown. Our teams are working to get customers to their destinations as quickly as possible.'
'However, safety is our first priority,' they went on to say.
Experiencing severe turbulence on an aeroplane can be frightening, but it's important to remember that modern aircraft are designed to withstand turbulence, and incidents of severe turbulence causing accidents are extremely rare.
However, if you find yourself in a situation with severe turbulence, here are some tips on what passengers can do to stay safe and calm:
Keep your seatbelt fastened at all times when you are seated. This is the most effective way to prevent injury during turbulence. Make sure your seatbelt is snug, and keep it fastened even when the seatbelt sign is off.
Pay close attention to the announcements and instructions from the flight attendants and the pilot. They are trained to handle turbulence and will provide guidance on what you should do.
If you anticipate turbulence, it's a good idea to support your head and neck with a pillow or cushion. This can help prevent neck strain during sudden movements.
If you're anxious, focus on taking deep, slow breaths to help calm your nerves.
The passengers' experience on the Jetstar flight is a shocking reminder of how dangerous strong winds can be, especially when you're several kilometres up in the sky.
What are your thoughts on this story, folks? Have you ever encountered turbulence during a flight? If so, how did you cope with it, and what was your experience like? Feel free to share your stories with us in the comments below!
The sense of adventure and the anticipation of exploring new places make it a thrilling mode of transportation.
However, for some, the thrill can give way to anxiety, as the very same aspects that make it enjoyable can also be intimidating.
Turbulence, unfamiliar sounds, and being suspended thousands of feet above the ground can trigger fear, even in the most seasoned travellers.
A flight to Queenstown encountered intense turbulence and had to turn back to Auckland. Credit: Shutterstock.
Just recently, this unfortunate reality hit home for passengers on a Jetstar flight from Auckland to Queenstown. As they soared over New Zealand's South Island, wind gusts reaching speeds of up to 150km/h created ‘wild’ turbulence.
The situation became so dire that the plane had to make an emergency U-turn, leading to passengers screaming and some even vomiting in sheer terror.
Dylan Steele—an 18-year-old who was travelling with his family at the 8:30 a.m. Sunday flight—recalled the horrifying moment to a news source.
'Everyone was just screaming and throwing up on the flight,' Dylan said.
'I was next to the window, so I saw the wing flapping like a b****y feather.'
Dylan likened the journey to a 'rollercoaster' and, at one point, feared that his life could be over.
'It was just wild, I have never experienced turbulence that bad in my life. It felt like a rollercoaster ride,' he said. 'All I could hear was the sounds of people being sick, and that was with headphones on. Everyone was just pretty shaken up and shocked.'
The turbulence was so severe that 18-year-old passenger Dylan even said goodbyes to his loved ones in case the worst was to happen.
Thankfully, the pilot managed to get the plane to safety, and the flight was aborted.
Jetstar apologised to affected passengers, forcing other flights to remain grounded due to the strong winds.
An airline spokesperson said: 'Aircraft are designed to withstand turbulence far more severe than is ever encountered, and pilots and crew are well practised and trained to manage turbulence.
'We sincerely apologise to customers for the disruption to their travel plans due to strong winds affecting Queenstown. Our teams are working to get customers to their destinations as quickly as possible.'
'However, safety is our first priority,' they went on to say.
Credit: SDC.
Experiencing severe turbulence on an aeroplane can be frightening, but it's important to remember that modern aircraft are designed to withstand turbulence, and incidents of severe turbulence causing accidents are extremely rare.
However, if you find yourself in a situation with severe turbulence, here are some tips on what passengers can do to stay safe and calm:
Keep your seatbelt fastened at all times when you are seated. This is the most effective way to prevent injury during turbulence. Make sure your seatbelt is snug, and keep it fastened even when the seatbelt sign is off.
Pay close attention to the announcements and instructions from the flight attendants and the pilot. They are trained to handle turbulence and will provide guidance on what you should do.
If you anticipate turbulence, it's a good idea to support your head and neck with a pillow or cushion. This can help prevent neck strain during sudden movements.
If you're anxious, focus on taking deep, slow breaths to help calm your nerves.
The passengers' experience on the Jetstar flight is a shocking reminder of how dangerous strong winds can be, especially when you're several kilometres up in the sky.
What are your thoughts on this story, folks? Have you ever encountered turbulence during a flight? If so, how did you cope with it, and what was your experience like? Feel free to share your stories with us in the comments below!
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