Asha Ali Abdille, 36, a refugee from Somalia, had pleaded guilty to the attempted hijacking of a 19-seat aircraft on a domestic flight between the South Island centers of Blenheim and Christchurch in February 2008.
In the High Court in Christchurch, Justice Christine French jailed Abdille for nine years and ordered she serve at least six years before being eligible for parole, the New Zealand Press Association (NZPA) reported.
Abdille, a vineyard worker, took three knives onto the plane, using one to cut the pilot on his hands and back, NZPA said.
She demanded the plane be flown to Australia, and when told it did not have enough fuel suggested the pilot fly into the sea. Abdille was overpowered by the pilot and first officer when the plane landed in Christchurch.
Justice French said there were no guideline decisions or sentences because it was the first hijacking in New Zealand, but the lawyers had made submissions about overseas cases in which the penalties ranged from five to 25 years.
The Jetstream planes are used on short-haul regional flights by national carrier Air New Zealand and have only curtains separating the cockpit from the passenger area.
