Passengers on board a flight which slid off Christchurch Airport's runway, say Jetstar's trying to save face by claiming it happened at low speed

Flight JQ225 from Auckland swerved and came to a halt on grass on Friday morning - which Jetstar says was due to a steering issue.

But one passenger says she thought the A320 plane was going to flip as it bounced along the tarmac during the incident.

Another says 'low speed' is a cynical attempt to manipulate the narrative.

Jetstar is offering a counselling service for passengers until next Friday -- while the Transport Accident Investigation Commission investigates.