{"id":557414,"date":"2026-08-03T09:59:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T09:59:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/557414\/"},"modified":"2026-08-03T09:59:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T09:59:17","slug":"qantas-flight-bound-for-south-america-turns-back-to-melbourne-almost-five-hours-into-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/557414\/","title":{"rendered":"Qantas flight bound for South America turns back to Melbourne almost five hours into journey"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Qantas<\/a> flight bound for South America has diverted to Melbourne overnight after a mechanical issue forced the plane to turn back over the Pacific Ocean.<\/p>\n

Almost 200 passengers on board QF27 from Sydney<\/a> to Santiago, Chile, were more than four-and-a-half hours into their journey when the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was forced to turn around just past New Zealand.<\/p>\n

WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: International Qantas flight turns around mid-journey<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

Qantas has confirmed the aircraft experienced a mechanical issue, forcing the emergency diversion.<\/p>\n

The plane landed in Melbourne<\/a> at 11pm on Sunday and couldn\u2019t return to Sydney due to the airport\u2019s curfew restrictions.<\/p>\n

Passengers described being well looked after during the ordeal, with one telling reporters the airline provided food and alcohol during the unexpected detour.<\/p>\n

\"Boeing'sBoeing’s 787 Dreamliner aircraft is being examined by engineers for mechanical issues. Credit: James D. Morgan\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was pretty good. They looked after us. They fed us. They gave us alcohol,\u201d the passenger said.<\/p>\n

However, the passenger also expressed frustration at the significant delay.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s disappointing, that\u2019s the big thing, because now we have to go again tomorrow,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n

Qantas<\/a> put all affected passengers up in hotels overnight and has confirmed the flight will re-depart from Melbourne to Santiago at midday on Monday.<\/p>\n

Aircraft engineers are currently inspecting the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, however it is unclear what caused the mechanical issue.<\/p>\n

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