Qantas flight from London’s passengers fume over strange requests – following emergency landing in Azerbaijan

By CAITLIN POWELL FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 23:47 BST, 9 June 2025 | Updated: 02:27 BST, 10 June 2025

Qantas passengers were stunned when told they had to pay in cryptocurrency or cash to book new flights after their plane was forced to divert to Azerbaijan.

The QF2 plane flying from London to Singapore was forced to reverse course and make the sudden landing on Sunday local time after a passenger went into cardiac arrest.

Hundreds of passengers then found themselves in an uncertain situation at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in the country’s capital Baku.

The passengers were told the flight to Singapore could not continue as the crew had already reached their maximum legal working hours, and the plane had to undergo maintenance.

They were offered overnight accommodation and told they could use their existing tickets on Tuesday’s flight, but anyone who could not wait that long could pay for alternative flights if they had cash or crypto.

Nine’s European correspondent Hannah Sinclair, who was on board the plane heading home for her wedding, took to social media to slam the situation. 

‘Hey Qantas currently stranded in Azerbaijan with almost 500 other passengers after a medical emergency and engine problem on QF2,’ she said.

‘There’s been no help getting a different flight and airport staff are asking for us to pay for new flights in crypto or cash only? Not ok.’

Nine correspondent Hannah Sinclair (pictured) claimed the grounded passengers were asked if they would like to pay for a new flight from Azerbaijan with cash or cryptocurrency

Flight-tracking has shown the alarming moment the plane QF2, which was heading from London to Singapore, U-turned above Azerbaijan and landed in the capital Baku

Ms Sinclair said the workers demanding payment were not Qantas staff. 

With no clear alternative and needing to keep to her wedding schedule, she booked her flight back to Australia online.

Australian doctor Hamish Urquhart, who helped treat the female passenger during her cardiac arrest, said the plane was forced to land in Baku because it was the nearest major airport capable of handling a large aircraft. 

‘The lady was really quite unwell and needed intravenous access while we were trying to land, which was a bit challenging,’ Dr Urquhart told ABC News.

‘In the air it was a bit stressful as we were flying towards Afghanistan.

‘They’re currently trying to find 400 hotel rooms in Azerbaijan while they fly a new plane from London.

‘Apparently we’ll be here on the tarmac for several hours as Qantas has to sort visas for everyone for Azerbaijan and all the hotel rooms in Baku.’

Qantas said the QF2 flight was originally due for routine maintenance checks in Singapore, but because of the emergency diversion, those checks had to be completed in Baku instead. 

‘Our London to Singapore service diverted to Baku in Azerbaijan yesterday due to a medical incident onboard,’ a Qantas spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

‘We apologise to customers for the disruption and are working to get them on their way to Singapore as soon as possible.’

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Qantas flight from London’s passengers fume over strange requests – following emergency landing in Azerbaijan

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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk