A long-haul flight was forced to turn around just four hours into the journey due to a medical emergency on board.
Qantas Flight QF7, en route from Sydney, Australia, to Dallas, Texas, was abruptly halted over the North Fiji Basin when crew members decided that a passenger required urgent medical attention on the ground.
The pilots surveyed the situation, dumped fuel into the ocean and cut short what was supposed to be a 17-hour journey, one of the longest nonstop passenger routes in the world.
In the event of an emergency landing early in a flight’s path during a long-haul journey, pilots are required to dump fuel to get below the maximum safe landing weight.
The double-decker A380 jet landed at Sydney Airport late Sunday evening, and the stricken passenger was rushed to the hospital. At the time of writing, the onward journey still hasn’t reached Dallas.
“Our crew provided immediate medical assistance onboard and made the decision to return to Sydney to ensure the passenger could receive the necessary care,” a spokesperson said.
Some flyers faced delays of 24 hours or more, the International Business Times reported.
“We apologize for the inconvenience caused to our customers and are working to rebook them on alternative flights as quickly as possible,” the statement continued.
There has been no update on the ill passenger’s health.
“Really hoping the person who had the medical emergency is okay,” Australian Olympic diver Sam Fricker, who was one of the passengers, wrote on social media.
“It’s sad to see them dumping fuel, we’re over the ocean. It’s also a tough time for fuel so I can’t imagine how expensive this must be for them,” Fricker added in a separate post.
“It just goes to show the cost of human life is priceless, so if they can save their life, it’s worth it.”
