Nikki Griffith was in shock after receiving devastating news at the airport. Air New Zealand stepped in to help.

A woman who received devastating news while waiting to board a flight has thanked Air New Zealand for their kindness in her hour of need.

Wellington drama student Nikki Griffith wrote on the Air New Zealand Facebook page yesterday that she had received news of her father's death while rushing to board a flight to Napier last week.

She collapsed in the middle of the airport, sobbing hysterically.

A stranger stopped to inquire if she was OK, and yelled out for help, she wrote.

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A man she believed worked for the airline radioed for assistance. Griffith was escorted to a private room, where two women offered water and hugs.

One of the women rung ahead to Napier, to make sure Griffith had transport from the airport.

A further staff member made sure Griffith had a water bottle and some snacks to mitigate the effects of shock.

Griffith was then escorted through the back of the airport, and on to the plane, where she was seated in the back row for privacy.

"A few more hugs and I was then put in the safe hands of the amazing flight attendants Rachel and Livvey (I hope I have their names right, the night was a bit of an emotional blur)," she wrote.

"They were so kind and caring and made the flight seem to go very quickly. When they had a rare spare moment they would sit next to me and give me a cuddle, make sure I had eaten something as well as drinking plenty of water and tea."

Griffith wrote the "extremely tough time" was made easier by the fantastic staff.

"I will be eternally grateful for how I was treated and I'm sure my dad would have been so proud that his little girl was looked after in such a difficult time."

When contacted by Stuff, Griffith said she didn't have any further comment.

"Don't really know if there much else to say but Air New Zealand have a fantastic, caring team that make this country proud."

In a statement, an Air New Zealand spokeswoman wrote: "Our customer facing staff on the ground and in the air help to facilitate more than 40,000 customers every day who travel with us for all sorts of reasons.

"Unfortunately in some cases our customers are travelling with us because of sad circumstances and we're pleased our team was able to offer this customer some comfort on her journey.

"We appreciate Nikki Griffith's comments and will endeavour to pass this feedback onto the team members involved."