A long haul Air New Zealand flight was canceled due to lack of pilots being able to work the scheduled service. While the airline initially suggested that one of the pilots was ill, all signs point toward a different reality, where the pilots had an altercation, and were unable to work together.
Air New Zealand flight mysteriously canceled due to the pilots
This incident happened on September 7, 2026, and involves Air New Zealand flight NZ7, a Boeing 787-9 scheduled to operate from San Francisco (SFO) to Auckland (AKL). Shortly before departure, passengers were informed that their flight was canceled due to crew issues. Per an email to passengers, “due to sickness, the pilot scheduled to operate your flight is no longer able to operate your service.”
Okay, pilots do sometimes get sick, so this isn’t totally unheard of. After all, the pilots were on a layover, and simply finding an extra Air New Zealand pilot on the other side of the Pacific at the last minute isn’t exactly straightforward.
However, as time went on, it became clear that there was more to this story. Reports quickly suggested that two of the pilots had some sort of an altercation during their layover at SFO, which ultimately resulted in them not being able to work together.
In a statement, Air New Zealand’s Chief Safety and Risk Officer, Nathan McGraw, stated that “we are aware of a matter between two crew members off duty in the United States which is currently being investigated,” but stressed that “there was no incident onboard the aircraft.”
New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority has been notified of the incident, but hasn’t yet decided whether to take action, sharing that “we consider all information brought to our attention, and determine whether any regulatory action is required.”
Travelers were then rebooked for a flight the following day, as another crew had to be flown in, and still needed mandatory rest before being able to fly back.
What kind of disagreement did Air New Zealand pilots have?
It’s common for pilots to be crewed with different colleagues on every trip. As you’d imagine, not all people get along equally well, though pilots are of course trained in crew resource management (CRM), and to focus on safety, and working together in a way where personalities shouldn’t impact performance.
However, pilots are humans, and sometimes they just can’t see eye-to-eye. So while it’s extremely rare, every so often we hear of flights being canceled because pilots couldn’t get along.
This story has made its way around Air New Zealand pilot circles, and reports seem to suggest that the disagreement began during the flight from Auckland to San Francisco, before escalating at the layover hotel.
Air New Zealand obviously isn’t being very forthcoming about what happened, which is fair enough, since it’s not like internal matters are typically shared publicly. Air New Zealand denies there was an “incident” onboard a flight, but I don’t think that means that the disagreement didn’t start in some way on the outbound flight.
The rumor among pilots seem to be that (at least) two of the pilots got into a heated debate over union matters, and ultimately, one of the pilots reported the other pilot to the company. Then matters only escalated during the layover, when the altercation even got physical.
Again, that’s the widely believed rumor, though who knows what really happened. The pilots were then deadheaded back to New Zealand (so they flew in the cabin, as passengers), reportedly on separate planes.
You’d hope that pilots would be able to put aside any differences they have. But if they truly are incapable of doing so, it’s better that they ultimately decide not to fly, rather than ending up in a situation where they can’t safely work together.
Bottom line
An Air New Zealand flight from San Francisco to Auckland was canceled due to lack of pilots able to work the flight. While the airline initially claimed this was “due to sickness,” it’s clear that there’s more to the story, with the belief being that there was some sort of a fight between two or more pilots.
The airline has indirectly confirmed this, and regulators in New Zealand are still deciding whether to take action.
What do you make of this Air New Zealand flight cancellation?
Testosterone wins again. That these two pilots allowed their disagreement to reach a level where they couldn’t fly together is ridiculous. Suspension of both pilots is certainly justified. Any return to active pilot status must require anger management education. Ludicrous situation.
What is really embarrassing is how poorly the business class is laid out on this plane!
Gross stupidity and a huge dose of immaturity. Back to training in the 172’s fella’s.
I hope none of the passengers had a cruise to catch or an important meeting to make. That senseless layover could have been critical to someone.
Hey @1990_
They argued over union.
Union causes they delay.
The one who will come out without any punishment is the one who is best buddies with the leader even if that person punched the other pilot.
But I agree that EU261 is needed to cover human error, crew stupidity, or any power trips.
Hi @Eskimo. No, Ben correctly stated that the 'flight was canceled due to lack of pilots being able to work the scheduled service.' That falls on the airline. Under an EU261-style rule, whatever individual interpersonal issues those pilots had are irrelevant to the fact that the carrier failed to operate its scheduled flight. As for labor representation, a dispute between two crew members is an internal management/HR issue, not an indictment of collective bargaining as...
Hi @Eskimo. No, Ben correctly stated that the 'flight was canceled due to lack of pilots being able to work the scheduled service.' That falls on the airline. Under an EU261-style rule, whatever individual interpersonal issues those pilots had are irrelevant to the fact that the carrier failed to operate its scheduled flight. As for labor representation, a dispute between two crew members is an internal management/HR issue, not an indictment of collective bargaining as a whole. Also, wow, nine years and 6,298 comments as 'Guest'? If only you'd registered by now...
On Australian news/social media...it got physical and therefore they were both suspended.
What an embarrassing way to let the world know you're not actually a professional.
Are we talking about their flights or their business class seats ;-)
Squabbling hobbits.
Is there a difference to customer compensation between no pilots available vs 2 knucklehead pilots?
Relief crew? One or two? If two, fly the bird to HNL to get passengers on their way. Go from there.
If reports are to be believed, then this was juvenile behaviour over a petty issue. Are these the types you want piloting your 787?
Yes .
A 1972 air crash in the UK happened after the two pilots had a heated argument over union matters. After takeoff the captain had a heart attack and the copilot lost control of the plane.
This is a fascinating story. We all have to work with people who are challenging to get along with. To escalate a disagreement to a level where (presumably) one could lose their job always raises eyebrows. I would love more details and this is a great teachable moment for all of us.
Hilarious and crazy (in a sullen way).
This sort of foolishness should result in passenger compensation substantially beyond a free hotel night.
Speaking my language! Time for an EU261 equivalent in the US…
So, "crew resource management (CRM)" is mentioned, and the Air New Zealand’s Chief Safety and Risk Officer's name is, ironically, Nathan. But, no one is yet to mention... Season 2 of The Rehearsal, where Nathan Fielder officially became a pilot in furtherance of addressing this issue, sorta.
Huh????
Huh??
Ahh, there it is! The reason it was wise to actually register my username! Bah!
What's really an embarassing situation for Air New Zealand is that herringbone business class cabin. That looks absolutely miserable.
It looks more like Premium Economy on a city bus. No way I would fly J on those guys.
@uldguy, what are you talking about. That's the latest cutting edge business class... in 2002! Seriously, it was a game changer at the time.
This doesn’t sound like the New Zealand they advertise on the TV, nice calm and polite 😂
Air France pilots do this, too: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62712278
Yes .
Just a fast decline of another airline.
Realistically to run a govt owned airline effectively with a population of 5 million is nearly impossible unless you have oil revenue 😁.
The rumours point towards a political issue and if the two pilots really got into a personal argument about something like that , both should be assessed carefully, if they are still fit to fly.
Agreed, cancellation was the right call here.