Turbulence when flying is a fairly commons experience for everyone. But what exactly is turbulence and how does it happen?

Turbulence: What exactly is it?

Passengers reached for their sick bags as their flight failed to land three times in Dunedin.

Air New Zealand flight NZ675 left Auckland after noon yesterday and passengers had no issues until the plane prepared to land.

A passenger said the aircraft began to shake back and forth as if it were being “shunted around” on descent.

The plane failed to land twice, sharply accelerating upwards again.

Passengers burst into applause as the plane momentarily landed on its third descent before it immediately took to the skies again.

The passenger said a flight attendant remarked, “Well that was a tease,” before the pilot announced a mixture of head and tail winds was causing the problems.

Another passenger sitting in the back of the plane said there were unaccompanied minors “throwing up all around him”.

By the fourth descent, one passenger was sweating with her head in her hands as kids vomited into sick bags.

Despite the passengers’ reactions, the pilot remained calm, the NZ Herald was told.

The plane finally landed on its fourth attempt — but passengers waited until the landing music was playing before applauding again.

Due to arrive at 2.15pm, the plane arrived in Dunedin nearly 30 minutes late.

An Air New Zealand spokeswoman said the flight performed a common “go around” procedure due to “windsheer and turbulence”.

Pilots would often make another landing approach when they were satisfied landing conditions had improved, she said.

This is the second time in as many days the national carrier has made the news after a flight bound for Sydney yesterday had to return to Christchurch after circling the South Island city for two hours.

This article originally appeared on the NZ Herald and was reproduced with permission