Review: Pacific Blue Airline
This fantastic review was submitted by John, who is a tetraplegic and uses a manual wheelchair.
A recent return trip from Auckland to Wellington proved to be a pleasant trouble-free experience. The booking (which must be done by telephone at internet discount rates) was well handled and a wide range of questions were covered to save any misunderstandings on the day. (I saw an article by a blind person complaining that he couldnt book on the internet and that it was some kind of discrimination, but personal question/answer was the only way). Some people can get a bit precious about their disability.
On the day, check-in 1 hour before departure was straightforward with a couple of short-term disabled parks right outside. Loading was via an aisle wheelchair and a partly enclosed hoist to the door oposite the passenger loading door. Plenty of willing and able bodied staff were on hand to transfer me to the aircraft seat. The flight was uneventful and if you are hungry or thirsty snacks and drinks are available at reasonable prices.
Disembarking at Wellington is via the aisle chair and passenger covered walkway, to be reunited with your wheelchair in the luggage claim area. Again willing staff on hand to transfer. The return trip next day was equally uneventful.
My rating for Pacific Blue is 4.5 out of five. The facilities and staff were excellent. My only complaint is that the ground staff, whilst willing, did not seem to have any training in transfer/lifting technique. I am told theIr staff are able transfer customers provided they do not weigh more than 130kg. (How about that Air NZ / OSH!)
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I so agree with you John, I found Pacific Blue's phone staff very friendly and polite. A few more questions than I'm used to, sure, but I think being overly thorough is better than waiting for a nasty surprise upon check-in!
Oh I agree! I can't wait to fly domestically with PB having had the best experience EVER flying to Oz a couple of years ago. These guys are ALL about customer service and it makes a welcome change to our national airline….but don't get me started….
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In New Zealand
: As an airline they run skinny operations and don't guarantee you'll be able to fly when you booked and as a company they don't refund cheaper seats no matter whose(including the airlines) fault it is you didn't fly. They will offer a voucher for untraveled amounts to be used on their airline within twelve months. They assume you still want to travel with them, even after poor service, rude staff and shaky schedules <<<<<<<<>>>>>>>
BEWARE DO NOT BOOK PACIFIC BLUE
—STICK TO REAL AIRLINES
I made the mistake of choosing Pacific blue ALK-WGN return. not realizing they are a one plane show. The flight was cancelled due to a lightning strike (found this out later as the counter staff were well over helping people by the time it was our turn). the next available flight was possibly 36 to 48 hours later. to quote the counter staff ” not our concern”. When I asked about a refund so I could use another airline, I was told it isn’t company policy to refund. Apparently not company policy to help either. We drove the distance overnight and now the help desk fobs us off as its not company policy. Three days and no response to the online complaint(s) They seem to be exempt the fair trading laws in NZ, so they can do as they like.
Brent take them to Fair Go!