In an extraordinary turn of events, Greg Foran, the Chief Executive of Air New Zealand, found himself serving drinks to passengers on an international flight that he had arranged to be diverted to pick him up, along with 30 other business people and government representatives.

An Unexpected Turn of Events

Foran was en route from Auckland to Tokyo for a trade summit, flying aboard an official government jet with the rest of the delegation. The plane was scheduled to stop in Papua New Guinea to refuel briefly. However, fate had other plans. The aircraft suffered a mechanical issue due to two blown fuses, rendering it incapable of flying at high altitudes to Tokyo.

While the Prime Minister quickly exited on two commercial flights via Hong Kong, most of the delegation was initially stranded in Papua New Guinea. The government jet was eventually cleared to fly at a low altitude to Brisbane. Here, Foran seized the opportunity to arrange a regularly scheduled Air New Zealand service from Auckland to Tokyo to make an impromptu stopover to pick up him and the rest of the delegation.

A Memorable Flight Experience

Once onboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Foran took to the public address system to apologise to the passengers for diverting their plane. But the surprises didn’t stop there. As the aircraft ascended back into the air and set course for Tokyo, Foran and Airline Chairperson Dame Therese Walsh jumped on a drinks cart to serve everyone onboard, turning a potentially frustrating situation into a memorable experience for all.

In a stroke of luck, Monday’s regularly scheduled flight to Tokyo had enough spare seats for the entire delegation. However, this meant that Foran and Walsh had to sit in Economy Class seats at the back of the plane, a humble experience for the airline’s top brass.

Arrival in Tokyo

Despite the unscheduled stopover in Brisbane, Air New Zealand flight NZ99 to Tokyo Narita arrived two hours later than planned, according to Flight Radar 24. This unexpected journey not only showcased the delegation’s adaptability and resilience but also highlighted the exceptional spirit of service embodied by Air New Zealand’s CEO, making it a flight to remember.

This unique experience serves as a testament to the dedication and commitment of Air New Zealand’s leadership to ensure the comfort and satisfaction of their passengers, even in the face of unexpected challenges. It’s a story that will be shared and remembered by those onboard, reinforcing the airline’s reputation for exceptional customer service.