History

Airlines that fly to the semi-independent Australian territory of Norfolk Island are plagued with bad luck. In 2006 when Norfolk Jet Express went bankrupt the former convict island’s government was forced to intervene. They initially commissioned Alliance Airlines to take over the route while they quickly set up their own government owned carrier, Norfolk Air. Having no aircraft of their own wasn’t a problem as they chartered ill fated Australian carrier OzJet to operate services. In May 2009 OzJet folded. Since then Norfolk Air’s services have been provided by the Republic of Nauru’s Our Airline. OzJet was operating the oldest jet airliners in Australia so passengers were pleased when Our Airline’s newer Boeing 737-300 commenced. Norfolk Air flies to four cities on Australia’s east coast and very occasionally operated repositioning flights between Melbourne and Sydney. In March 2012 the agreement with Our Airline ends and services will be taken over by Air New Zealand, presumably using the larger Airbus A320 to link the holiday island to Australia. Australian check-in staff joke that Norfolk Air passengers are the ‘newly weds or nearly deads’ – honeymooners or golden oldies.

On-Board Service

While Our Airline provide the pilots, Norfolk Air provide their own super friendly crew who know frequent travelers by sight and often by name. Flight attendants are happy to chat and advise holiday makers and clearly appreciate working for the territory’s flag carrier. Service is definitely with a smile.

Network

Norfolk Air fly between their island base and Sydney and Brisbane several times a week, while they have once a week flights to Melbourne and Newcastle. Other than Air New Zealand’s once a week flight to Auckland, Norfolk Air is the only way to Norfolk Island.

Price

Norfolk Air is extremely expensive. If you need or want to visit Norfolk Island then just accept the price, but if you’re looking for an affordable holiday there are superior destinations in the Pacific which offer better value for money. For example flying to fascinating Fiji, which is further than Norfolk Island, is considerably cheaper on Air Pacific and once in Fiji costs are lower. On top of an expensive Norfolk Air airfare, there remains a AUD$30 departure tax to be paid, which is not included in the ticket price, unlike an Air Pacific flight to Fiji.

Catering

Until October 2011 Norfolk Air provided quite a nice meal service, which was axed as a cost cutting measure. The airline still provides a refreshment service which has been reduced to tea, coffee and a muffin. Alcohol and soft drinks can be purchased. However, flights are short but the nice touch of a meal is missed by regular passengers and retirees who expect something for their high airfare.

Entertainment

Other than the friendly crew and passengers who seem to enjoy chatting to each other, there is no entertainment.

Ground Service and baggage

In Australia ground services are provided by third party contractors while on Norfolk Island the airline has its own staff. The airline is a big deal to the island economy so departing passengers get a good send-off. The airline’s baggage allowance is standard at 23kg for economy. Their excess baggage rate is relatively cheap.

Premium Classes & Lounges

Norfolk Air is a one class airline and does not have a Business Class. They do code share with Qantas, so high tier frequent flyers can use the Qantas Club before they depart Australia.

Economy Class

Norfolk Air’s plane is provided by Our Airline which provides its many bigger build passengers with generous seat space. The aircraft interiors are reasonably modern and the plane is seldom crowded. An Economy flight is quite a pleasant experience.

Frequent Flyer Programme

Norfolk Air does not have a frequent flyer programme of its own, but Qantas passengers who book under the Qantas codeshare number will earn points.

Corporate Culture

The population of Norfolk Island is around 2000 and tourism is the mainstay of the economy. In many ways Norfolk Air is the island territory’s most important investment and the company is run almost like a family affair. The airlines CEO Jeff Murdoch is approachable and all operations of the company work as a cohesive team.

Safety

Norfolk Air has not had the best reputation for safety, mostly caused by weather, and partly caused by OzJet’s ancient aircraft. In 2007 one OzJet flight experienced a malfunctioning rudder and the plane prepared to ditch into the sea of Norfolk Island. The pessimistic pilot decided to fly to Noumea instead reasoning it was better to crash landing at their modern airport than into the sea, but he fortunately landed relatively smoothly. The airline, naturally, downplayed the seriousness of this incident but this should have been the time Norfolk Air ended its relationship with OzJet. Part of the high cost of airfares is because Norfolk Island experiences frequent fog which covers the airport unexpectedly. Flights leaving Australia are often required to turn back due to fog, which rolls in unpredictably. Flights need to carry excess fuel in case they need to turn back. Unlikely this can occur several times a month. In addition to bad weather Norfolk Island Airport has no radar, minimal emergency services and no night time runway lighting. In 2009 an Ambulance flight ditched off Norfolk Island in the sea following repeated aborted nighttime landings.

Norfolk Air - Rating

A friendly airline that tries to make up in smiles what it can’t in value.

www.norfolkair.com