Qantas Sydney to Dallas flight diverted to Houston

Passengers on one of the world’s longest flights are furious after being stranded at another airport and told they need to catch a bus to their destination.

Qantas flight QF7 from Sydney to Dallas is supposed to take 15 hours and 20 minutes, but almost 20 hours later hundreds of travellers are stuck in Houston. 

The Airbus A380 was beginning its final descent when those on board were suddenly told of a ‘weather event in Dallas’, a passenger said.

Passengers on one of the world’s longest flights are furious after being stranded at another airport and told they need to catch a bus to their destination (pictured are passengers getting off the plane)

Qantas flight QF7 from Sydney to Dallas is supposed to take 15 hours and 20 minutes, but almost 20 hours later hundreds of travellers are stuck in Houston (pictured are passengers waiting for their bags at Houston)

Qantas flight QF7 from Sydney to Dallas is supposed to take 15 hours and 20 minutes, but almost 20 hours later hundreds of travellers are stuck in Houston (pictured are passengers waiting for their bags at Houston)

After briefly flying in a holding pattern the delay became a last-minute diversion and the plane landed at Houston instead.

‘We were about 40 mins out and preparing to land when there was an announcement apologising for bad news,’ the passenger said.

‘We were told it was a “weather event” but we could see other airlines landing in Dallas without a problem, and the weather seemed fine.

‘It was suspicious because the weather wasn’t that bad. Competitors like American and Southwest were departing from Houston with no issues.’

However a Qantas spokesperson said only a small number of passengers will be taken to Dallas by bus, with the majority flying to other airports out of Houston. 

The Airbus A380 was beginning its final descent when those on board were suddenly told of a 'weather event in Dallas', a passenger said (pictured are passengers getting off the plane)

The Airbus A380 was beginning its final descent when those on board were suddenly told of a ‘weather event in Dallas’, a passenger said (pictured are passengers getting off the plane)

Upon arrival passengers were given a series of unlikely and contradictory explanations for why they could not get off the plane.

First they were told there were nowhere for the plane to dock and then that there were no facilities to process Qantas passengers. 

After four hours on the tarmac the exhausted passengers were finally able to enter the airport, only to be told they would have to catch a bus to Dallas. 

‘All of their explanations turned out to be wrong, and even their explanation for why we had to fly to Houston – they finally told us it was a fuel issue,’ said a person on board.

Other passengers took to social media to vent their anger, asking why they were stuck inside the plane for so long.

‘QF7 fail: 2 hrs late leaving Sydney, diverted to Houston, 4 hrs on tarmac, 1 hr customs, queues, now 3+ hr bus back to Dallas. Last 7 hours no food or water,’ said one passenger.

Other passengers took to social media to vent their anger, asking why they were stuck inside the plane for so long (pictured above)

Other passengers took to social media to vent their anger, asking why they were stuck inside the plane for so long (pictured above)

‘QF7 landed OVER 3 hrs and 20 mins ago and we are still not allowed off! Unreal!’ said one Twitter user.

‘Now entering hour 3 waiting to deboard after 16 hours of flight time… any idea when we can get off this thing?’ said another.

‘I feel sorry for everyone who has connecting flights,’ said another passenger. 

‘Understand safety is a priority but nothing better after a 15 hour flight then being diverted and sitting on the tarmac for 2.5 hours while they decide what to do.’

‘At what point is it illegal to hold the passengers on QF7 on the plane?’ asked somebody else.

Once off the plane passengers learned they would have to take a bus to Dallas, which staff told them would take three hours (pictured are passengers getting off the plane)

Once off the plane passengers learned they would have to take a bus to Dallas, which staff told them would take three hours (pictured are passengers getting off the plane)

Once off the plane passengers learned they would have to take a bus to Dallas, which staff told them would take three hours.

‘There is no way a bus can make it from Houston to Dallas that quickly,’ a flyer said.

‘It could take as long as four hours, why couldn’t they just organise a flight?’

Despite the dramas, passengers said Qantas staff on the plane had been excellent, and passengers had dealt with the disruptions well.’

‘The crew have been wonderful, there was nothing they could do either and they were fantastic the whole time,’ a passenger said. 

A Qantas spokesperson said only a small number of passengers will be taken to Dallas by bus, with the majority flying to other airports out of Houston.

‘Those travelling to Dallas will receive meals and accommodation, and Qantas will be trying to minimise the impact of the delay, the spokesperson said. 

‘Due to low cloud in Dallas, we had to divert our Sydney-Dallas/Fort Worth flight to Houston,’ the spokesperson said in a statement.

‘Unfortunately when we landed in Houston, one of the A380’s doors sustained minor damage from the aerobridge, which requires inspection by an engineer. 

‘The majority of customers on the flight have onward bookings from Dallas to other US destinations, so we have worked with our partner airlines to fly them to their final destinations directly from Houston. 

‘As it’s currently late at night in Houston, we have also arranged hotel accommodation. 

‘For customers who do not have onward bookings from Dallas/Fort Worth, we have arranged buses to get them to Dallas, as this will be the fastest way to get them to their destination while engineers inspect the aircraft. 

‘We know that delays can be frustrating but the safety of our customers and crew is our first priority. 

‘We thank customers for their understanding as we worked to find the best way to get them on their way as quickly as possible.’ 



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