Flight QF27 was more than four-and-a-half hours into its journey from Sydney to Santiago when the aircraft was turned around just past New Zealand. Qantas confirmed a mechanical issue forced the emergency diversion.
Passengers looked after during ordeal
The plane landed in Melbourne at 11pm on Sunday and could not return to Sydney due to the airport's curfew restrictions. Almost 200 passengers were on board.
"It was pretty good. They looked after us. They fed us. They gave us alcohol," one passenger told reporters.
However, the passenger expressed frustration at the delay: "Well, it's disappointing, that's the big thing, because now we have to go again tomorrow."
Re-departure and inspection
Qantas placed all affected passengers in hotels overnight and confirmed the flight would re-depart from Melbourne to Santiago at midday on Monday.
Engineers are inspecting the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, though the cause of the mechanical issue remains unclear.
