Qantas passengers forced to sleep on plane as Auckland airport floods

About 200 people on board due to fly to Sydney became stranded on the tarmac overnight due to floods overwhelming the airport.

About 200 passengers due to fly to Sydney were forced to stay on-board the plane overnight while floods inundated the tarmac of Auckland airport.

A state of emergency has been issued for the New Zealand city as floodwaters have overwhelmed homes and businesses following a downpour of rain.

Qantas flight QF148 was cancelled after passengers had already boarded the flight about 6.15pm, forcing them to sit at the gate for about seven hours.

A check in area at Auckland airport overnight. Picture: Twitter

Passengers were served meals and drinks while they waited out the night on the plane.

They were also allowed time to stretch their legs in the aerobridge connecting the plane to the terminal before finally being able to return to the terminal about 2am.

Passenger Mark Andrews called in to Radio New Zealand to say they “vibes” on the plane were good despite the inconvenience.

Passengers wade through Auckland Airport. Picture: Twitter

The lights were turned off so passengers could sleep and business class passengers were offered glasses of champagne, he reported.

He said the crew “were worried” about the fact that only half of the plane’s toilets were working.

@Qantas Stayed onboard QF148 last night @ Auckland and now finally released into the terminal with no idea what we are doing, do we collect our baggage? Not a single Qantas staff and no comms from @Qantas. Can you let us know what’s happening!

— _O_ (@GreatGreat90) January 27, 2023

The passengers were reportedly let back into the terminal about 1.45am.

Auckland Airport was temporarily closed as floods inundated the check-in areas and passengers waded through ankle deep water.

My sister arrived into Auckland airport from Paris last night and has been stranded there until they arrived at my house at 5am and they still have to get to TGA when ever those flights are thx to Qantas for providing everyone blankets

— Rednes (@Rednes11) January 27, 2023

Travellers stranded at the Airport took to social media to get some answers from airline staff.

“Stayed onboard QF148 last night at Auckland and now finally released into the terminal with no idea what we are doing,” one user Tweeted about 5.40am.

“My kids are stuck in the plane, on the runway for hours and are not allowed off,” another said.

Tony Parish was stuck onboard a plane with his 10-year-old and said he was forced to sleep in the airport.

“I now have a very distraught child,” Mr Parish tweeted.

My kids have been stuck in the plane, on the run way for hours and are not allowed off. Any update there? QF148

— Jessyy (@Jess_Yo) January 27, 2023

@Qantas Lastnight at Auckland Airport I was stuck on a plane with my 10 year old. We were told to leave. And we’re promised food and blankets from your ground staff. Yet we got nothing. So after sleeping in the airport I now have a very distraught child.
Thanks Qantas. 😡😡

— Tony Parish (@tonyparish) January 27, 2023

NCA Newswire has contacted Qantas and Auckland Airport for comment.