Jetstar passengers fume after being stranded in Hawaii

Jetstar is facing further backlash after it axed flights out of Hawaii, leaving Aussie passengers stranded and forking out hundreds on emergency accommodation or alternative journeys home.

At least two flights from Honolulu were believed to have been cancelled by the budget airline since Saturday.

“Waiting at 5am at Waikiki for taxi to airport for 10am flight home, receive a text saying flight cancelled for engineering reasons,” one person Tweeted.

“Forced to get a $3,000 Qantas flight. People did warn me not to trust Jetstar.”

Jetstar passengers queue at the airport.
Jetstar passengers have been stranded in Hawaii after at least two flights back to Australia were cancelled. Source: AAP

“Just happened to our family,” another angry passenger posted. “5am notification".

“How could this be allowed to happen? Six of us got last seats on Qantas flight back to Sydney in three days time at an outrageous price and in US$.

“Take people overseas and leave them stranded? Outrageous! Never again Jetstar.”

A lightning strike grounds aircraft

Jetstar told Yahoo News Australia that a lightning strike was to blame.

“One of our B787 aircraft experienced a lightning strike on its way into Cairns and another required a thrust reverser replacement part,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

“A single B787 out of service means we need to find seats for another 300 customers.”

Jetstar insists that teams across the business are working through all options to get the remaining customers on their way as quickly as possible.

The coast of Hawaii.
A dream holiday to Hawaii has turned into a nightmare for Jetstar passengers. Source: Getty

But in the meantime passengers have been left scrambling to find somewhere to stay or a flight home with another airline.

For those that need a room for the night, Jetstar is offering up to $300 in compensation with additional payments for meal costs and “other reasonable expenses.”

“We appreciate delays are extremely frustrating and we sincerely apologise for the impact this is having on customers’ travel plans, especially during the school holidays."

Passengers wait at the airport.
Some stranded Jetstar passengers say they were forced to fork out $3,000 for a Qantas flight to get home. Source: AAP

A month of chaos for the budget airline

The latest cancellations join a growing list of flights axed by the budget airline in recent weeks.

Up to 4,000 Aussies were stuck in Bali at the start of September due to Jetstar delays and cancellations.

Families were left stranded for up to a week after the airline pulled services, citing “engineering issues".

While hundreds in Phuket were left stranded after their flights were dropped, forcing one passenger to literally sing for her supper.

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