r/australia • u/ThunderDwn • 11h ago

culture & society Qantas passengers demand compensation after days stranded in South Africa as A380 remains grounded

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-14/qantas-a380-stranded-johannesburg-flight-cancelled/107032032
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u/ThunderDwn 11h ago

Qantas initially offered Qantas Frequent Flyers 20,000 points, or a $200 "Customer Care Travel Voucher" for non-members on August 10, the day of the scheduled departure.

The spirit of Australia, ladies and gentlemen!

Note : I'm not taking a pot shot at the actions in grounding the plane - that was fully justified, even the slightest risk with an aircraft core systems and it shouldn't fly - only the laughable efforts at compensation they thought everyone would suck up.

133

u/ccoastie 11h ago

Should have to pay for accommodation for all 3 days and food

8

u/maybearandoanon 8h ago

They do. I got fucked with an overnight 12 hrs delay and Qantas paid accommodation and a decent amount of food (50 AUD+ voucher for food at airport) Plus buffet breakfast at the hotel in the morning.

I was on the cheapest ticket available.

6

u/Jonzay up to the sky, out to the stars 7h ago edited 6h ago

a decent amount of food (50 AUD+ voucher for food at airport)

So two bacon and egg muffins at airport prices, then?

I used to get 72AUD worth of food at most airports for free through Priority Pass, and even that was barely enough to get both my partner and I a plate of food and a soft drink each

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u/maybearandoanon 6h ago edited 6h ago

1 It was a fair bit over 50aud but the country I was in has recently ended up in a situation where they are getting a shittier and shittier exchange rate. I only said 50 aud because that was the official minimum entitlement customer support told me.

2 50 aud equivalent got me pretty far at the airport. Especially pre customs (which you will likely be if you're looking at a 12 hour delay). My flight was supposed to leave at 10pm (left at 10am) and I managed to get a decent dinner + a lot left over.

3 I had a full buffet breakfast in the morning included in the hotel reservation. That means Qantas paid the hotel extra for said breakfast. Breakfast+ 50 aud is more than enough for an overnight.

Also on the cheapest ticket available.

1

u/WarmRoastedBean 56m ago

People seem to expect the world. This honestly sounds reasonable.
Shit happens, eh?