Qantas investigating after flight from Sydney diverted over Antarctica on Christmas Day

Qantas is investigating a mechanical issue that forced a flight to be diverted mid-air while over Antarctica on Christmas Day.

Qantas are investigating a mechanical issue that forced a flight from Sydney to South Africa to be diverted back to Australia while flying over Antarctica on Christmas Day.

QF63 departed from Sydney shortly before 10am on Wednesday and was scheduled to arrive in the South African capital of Johannesburg shortly before 3pm on the same day.

Instead, the Airbus A380 was forced to turn around after more than four hours in the air following an unnamed mechanical issue, touching back down in Sydney by 7.30pm.

In a statement, a Qantas spokesperson said the aircraft’s pilots followed normal procedures and returned to Australia for the aircraft to be checked by the airline’s engineers.

“Customers were re-accommodated on a service to Johannesburg (on Thursday) morning and we want to thank them for their patience and understanding,” the spokesperson said.

A Qantas flight from Sydney to South Africa has been diverted over Antarctica. Picture: Flight Radar

It is understood the passengers were provided with accommodation, transfers, and meal vouchers, and that the priority landing was requested, but that it was not an emergency.

The cause of the issue is being investigated.

It comes after 300 passengers were stranded in Los Angeles in the days leading up to Christmas after Qantas aborted two flights, including QF94 bound for Melbourne.

Despite passengers boarding the plane shortly before the scheduled takeoff time, Perth-based sports podcaster Will Schofield said the plane sat idle on the runway for six hours.

“The flight was rescheduled for the following day. However, about 30 minutes prior to departure, Qantas once again cancelled the flight citing the same engineering issue,” he said.

It comes as passengers descend on airport across the county for Christmas. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Mr Schofield went on to add: “Qantas knew it wasn’t going to fly. Texted passengers saying there was a 90-minute delay about four hours before. None of the crew came to the gate.”

The Qantas spokesperson said the Boeing 787 meant to fly on December 22 had suffered a hydraulic issue that could not be fixed, meaning a replacement plane had to be brought in.

“We want to sincerely apologise to all customers impacted by the significant delay to our Los Angeles – Melbourne flight,’ the spokesperson said in a statement to the media.

“We understand how disappointing and frustrating this experience would have been, particularly for those who are missing Christmas Day with their loved ones.”

Originally published as Qantas investigating after flight from Sydney diverted over Antarctica on Christmas Day