Singapore Airlines passenger slams compensation after wife left paralysed on turbulent flight

Adelaide woman Kerry Jordan broke her spine after being launched around the cabin of the deadly Singapore Airlines flight.
Adelaide woman Kerry Jordan broke her spine after being launched around the cabin of the deadly Singapore Airlines flight. Photo credit: Getty Images

"It is a totally life-changing condition that's going to face her."

The husband of an Adelaide woman who became paralysed after flying with Singapore Airlines has slammed the company for its compensation offer due to it appearing to be concealed.

Keith Davis who was also a passenger on the flight said the company's compensation offer was "beyond insulting" and that it added to the anguish.

He said he only found out about the compensation offer when it was sent to him by friends on social media.

Davis' wife Kerry Jordan was launched around the cabin leading to a broken spine and no feeling from the waist down.

She may never walk again.

"We're just hopeful for small gains, her mobility is restricted to her arms and her neck and shoulders," he said, according to 7News.

The company said it sent out an offering of US$10,000 ($16,239) to passengers who suffered minor injuries and US$25,000 ($40,597) for serious injuries following a flight last month where the plane suddenly plunged around 2000m within a few minutes.

The airline said it sent out the offer to passengers on June 10 following the flight, during which one person died, and many others were injured.

"I expect they would provide adequate compensation for the whole of Kerry's life," Davis said.

"It is a totally life-changing condition that's going to face her."

Davis described the airline's apology efforts as "an absolute joke". 

Singapore Airlines' chief executive visited his wife in hospital and offered to visit her again, but she declined.

The company said all passengers' medical costs were covered, they were paid $1077 to meet their immediate expenses and their flight costs were refunded.

Former senator Nick Xenophon is part of a legal team fighting for a better deal for injured passengers.

He said the company should be offering seriously injured passengers at least US$175,000 ($284,421).

"All affected passengers should have received their offers of compensation via email, along with information on how they may proceed with their claims," the airline said in a social media post.

Disruptive weather this week has posed flight cancellations and highway closures across New Zealand.